Future of foster care discussed by Renfrewshire foster carers

Renfrewshire’s foster carers got together to talk about the future of foster care in Scotland. The event in Johnstone Town Hall was the final one held for the Scottish Government’s fostering consultation.

MSP Natalie Don-Innes, Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, attended the event. The Fostering Network and Renfrewshire Council organised the event, which took place in the same week The Promise to care-experienced people reached its fifth anniversary.

A recent report to elected members on the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board stated there is an ongoing need to recruit more foster carers. Renfrewshire currently has 69 fostering households.

Foster carers are vital in ensuring children feel safe, loved and cared for. There are all types of fostering, from short term to longer term arrangements.

Where possible, Renfrewshire keeps brothers and sisters in care together. More foster carers will help the council ensure more siblings remain together.

Anyone who is in good health, aged 21 or older, and has enough living space to accommodate a child or young person could potentially become a foster carer. People can rent a property or own their home, be in work or unemployed.

Sharon and her husband Steven became foster carers in 2015. She said: “Our children had grown up, but I still wanted that family life. Whenever I saw adverts on the TV or on billboards about fostering, I had a compulsion to become a foster carer and knew I wanted to do it when the time was right.

“If you want to expand your family life and are into family life like we are, it is a positive thing to do. We’ve loved it.  

“Speak to the council’s fostering team. They will help you fully explore the notion of foster care and help you discover if you could help children come into your home. Robin answered a lot of our questions. Everyone in the fostering team has been so kind, helpful and truthful. Just lift up the phone and speak to someone.”

Anne Currie, The Fostering Network’s assistant director for Scotland, said: “It was great to be able to facilitate this vital opportunity to discuss the future of foster care in Scotland. Foster carers play a crucial role in children’s lives, and their voices must be at the heart of shaping policies that support them. This session allowed Renfrewshire carers to share their experiences and concerns directly with policymakers, with the aim of ensuring that their insights help inform the Scottish Government’s work on foster carer retention. We hope that this engagement and the wider consultation deepens understanding of the realities and challenges foster carers face every day to help bring about the change that’s so urgently needed.”

Councillor Emma Rodden, convener of Renfrewshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Policy Board, said: “If you can open your heart and home to a child or young person in need, we want to hear from you. All our foster carers receive ongoing support and training. If you’re interested in finding out more, please get in touch.”

Find out about fostering (Renfrewshire Council website) or call 0300 300 1199.