The Fostering Network will be urging people to “think about fostering” and help tackle the damaging shortage of foster carers during its Foster Care Fortnight 2005.

Foster Care Fortnight 2005 is taking place from Monday 9 May to Sunday 22 May 2005.

The annual campaign, co-ordinated by UK-wide charity, the Fostering Network, will focus on the shortage of foster carers, almost 1,700 across Scotland and 10,000 throughout the UK.

Throughout the fortnight fostering services all over the UK will be holding events and raising the awareness of fostering.

Within South Ayrshire, the Council’s Fostering Team, along with colleagues from Shared Care and the Throughcare Team, will be at the new ASDA store at Liberator Drive, Heathfield Retail Park, Ayr at various times over the two weeks and their display and information will be on show at the store throughout ‘Foster Care Fortnight’.

Jenny Thompson, South Ayrshire Council’s Acting Director of Social Work, Housing and Health said: “We have a fantastic group of foster carers, with a variety of backgrounds and experiences, who are making a real difference to the lives of children in South Ayrshire. ‘Foster Care Fortnight’ is a chance for all involved in fostering to join together to explain more about the rewards of fostering. If anyone would like to find out more about fostering in South Ayrshire, Liz, Elaine or Alex from the Fostering Team would be happy to hear from you. A phone call doesn’t commit you to anything but it may turn out to be one of the best phone calls you’ll ever make.”

Members of the fostering team can be contacted on 01292 267675 or by email to fostering@south-ayrshire.gov.uk.

Helen Clarke, recruitment campaign co-ordinator for Fostering Network said: ‘Foster Care Fortnight is a fantastic opportunity for people to find out more about fostering. Events are happening all over the country, giving people the opportunity to meet current foster carers or talk to fostering services about fostering and find out whether it is right for them.’

Bryan Ritchie, Director of Fostering Network Scotland, added “Although there is a shortage of foster carers, the foster care service is working miracles each day and all we are asking people to do is to contact their local fostering team and talk through whether fostering is for them.”


The Scottish Government have shown their commitment to supporting foster carers by increasing the money allocated to Councils and Euan Robson, Deputy Minister for Education and Young People added his support, saying: ‘We want all children to get the best possible start in life regardless of their background and family circumstances. Foster carers have a vital role to play by providing a supportive family environment for children who cannot live with their birth parents.’

“There are many young people who would benefit from the opportunities that being fostered brings. That’ s why each and every one of us should ask ourselves – could I make a difference to a child’s life? Could I become a foster carer?”

May 2005