The lives of children and young people in care are transformed through fostering and Foster Care Fortnight (10-23 May 2021) is the UK’s biggest foster care celebration, delivered by leading fostering charity, The Fostering Network.
As Children’s Health Scotland provides information and training directly to Foster Carers on the healthcare needs and rights of children and young people, this is one event that we really care about supporting.
Commenting on the event, Helen Forrest, Chief Executive of Children’s Health Scotland said: “We work with foster carers to deliver information and training that covers topics such as mental health and emotional wellbeing and health-related play techniques to help cope with dental, medical or hospital treatment and pain. We care enormously about helping foster carers transform the lives of children and young people and together we care about their health and wellbeing. Thousands of new foster families are needed every year to care for children so please join us this year to celebrate Foster Care Fortnight and show #whywecare.”
This year the Fostering Network is asking the whole fostering community, from foster carers to fostering services and care experienced children and young people, from fundraisers to campaigners, and everyone in between who cares about the lives of children in care to step up and tell the world #WhyWeCare.
Talking about how Children’s Health Scotland will be supporting Foster Care Fortnight 2021, Anne Wilson, Head of Development said: “To complement the information and training we provide to foster carers, I will be delivering a webinar on Understanding Trauma and Helping Recovery on Thursday 20 May. At this event I’m really looking forward to showcasing #whywecare about foster carers and the children and young people they care for and hope as many people as possible register to attend.”
The information and training provided by Children’s Health Scotland has been developed to support foster carers with their vital work with children and young people. The charity also designs bespoke sessions to suit specific needs and interests. Training is delivered FREE OF CHARGE at point of delivery as the charity is funded by the Scottish Government and other trusts and foundations.
Despite the challenges the past year has thrown at all of us, the love and support that foster carers provide to children and young people has never wavered. Without doubt, the impact of school closures, social isolation and reduction in services has been challenging, but foster carers have continued to support the children in their care, demonstrating immense passion and determination. Thousands of new foster families are needed every year to care for children, with the greatest need being for foster carers for older children, sibling groups, disabled children and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
In relation to Foster Care in Scotland (information obtained from https://www.gov.scot/publications/childrens-social-work-statistics-2019-20/):
- 14, 458 children were looked as of 31 July 2020, which is an increase of 196 (1%) from 2019.
- 4,744 children living with foster families as of 31 July 2020.
- There was an increase in the proportion of children placed with foster carers – up from 30% in 2010 to 33% in 2020 – and this remains the most common accommodation type for looked after children.
- There are approximately 4,000 foster families in Scotland.
Anne Wilson will be delivering a webinar on Understanding Trauma and Helping Recovery on Thursday 20 May 10am – 11:30am. To register for this event and other Foster Care Fortnight events, please contact scotland@fostering.net.
To find out how you can get involved with Foster Care Fortnight, please visit: thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/fcf21.
To find out more about the information and training available from Children’s Health Scotland please visit https://www.childrenshealthscotland.org/service/children-and-young-people-in-and-leaving-care/
