Border Telegraph | News | 'Children in our care desperately need the support of a loving family'

Friday, 25th July, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 14th May, 2008 09:00

'Children in our care desperately need the support of a loving family'

By David O'Leary

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A MASSIVE call for foster carers has been launched in the Borders this week at the start of Foster Care Fortnight.

Fostering services are looking to recruit hundreds of volunteers throughout Scotland, who wish to help vulnerable children rebuild their lives.

The campaign is looking to encourage people to recognize that they may already possess the qualities needed to become a foster carer.

Scottish Borders Council’s Family Placement Team is looking for foster carers across the Borders who can offer care to children aged 12yrs and over or short breaks to children with a disability. The fortnight runs from Monday May 12 to Sunday May 25.

Scottish Borders Council’s Director of Social Work Services Andrew Lowe said, “I am appealing to people across the Borders to consider if they could provide a stable and caring environment for children who for whatever reason are not able to live with their birth family. There are children in our care who desperately need the support and commitment of a loving family.

“This recruitment drive is aimed at anyone who wishes to help out in some way, be it full-time or part-time. Part-time carers can help out by offering respite to those who foster full-time, the first step would be to call and chat with a duty worker.”

Becoming a carer does require some special skills as some children have complex needs, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, learning difficulties or relational problems. However, the department offers a great deal of support, specialist training and respite.

Betty Falconer, a carer from Newtown St Boswells for over 8 years said, “There’s a lot of training and support for carers who need it and it is hard work but the rewards are massive. As each child has their own social worker so too each carer has their own link worker supporting them.”

There are currently about 180 children aged under17 in the care of the council and foster carers receive a basic level of £117 per week per child. Also, carers receive £83 a week per child under 10 to cover items such as clothes and food. This rises to £133 for each child over 11.

As a further incentive, registered carers in the Borders are paid for 56 weeks in a year, and are allowed 30 days paid respite annually.

However, the rewards of fostering are not material but emotional. Alastair and Linda Holliday of Jedburgh have fostered for over 28 years. Linda said, “As with anything that’s challenging the rewards are greater, to see a child in your care progress is fantastic.

“The support you receive is superb also, the social workers know your limits and we’d never receive a child that wouldn’t be suitable for us to care for.”

Linda’s husband Alastair believes that fostering can be extremely beneficial for those with children of their own also. He said, “Our children grew up alongside the kids we fostered and it made them realize how fortunate they were to have their health and a stable home.

“It’s good for children to understand disabilities and realize how lucky they are.”

Linda said, “My advice to anyone that’s thinking of fostering would be to give it a go, you won’t look back. It’s very challenging but then also very satisfying.”

Betty also echoed this view she said, “ I taught about it for over five years and I now wish that I had done it earlier. It can be a wrench when the kids leave but it’s great to know that you’ve made a difference in these kids’ lives.”

For those who think they have what it takes for the challenges and rewards of fostering, contact the Family Placement Team on 01896 757230.

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