Local children need you
Last updated | 09/05/2008
As Foster Care Fortnight 2008 (12-25 May) approaches, children in Perth and Kinross are looking for the care and stability that a new family could give them. Could you offer them the kind of family life they so desperately need and make a real difference to their future?
Perth & Kinross Council is looking for carers who feel they could give children or young people a secure family environment for just a few days, a few months or more permanently, depending on the type of care needed.
It has taken the step of producing a special DVD that appeals for carers for brothers and sisters, young children and teenagers. The appeal is being shown on screens in the AK Bell Library and can be viewed online -
Fostering and adoption appeals clip [WMV: 7Mb]. A
transcript of the content of the video is also available. If you are having problems playing this clip, refer to our
help guide on playing video clips.
Councillor Elizabeth Grant, Convener of the Lifelong Learning Committee, said:
"Children have only one childhood. It is so important that we, as adults, don?t let children and young people down, that we do all we can to make their childhood happy and safe. Carers have such an important role, whether through short-term respite care, longer term foster care or adoption.
"Perth & Kinross is appealing for more carers. There are brothers and sisters who desperately want to stay together, younger children and teenagers, who all need new families.
"If you feel you may be interested in providing care for a child, please do get in touch with us to find out more."
Respite care provides a breathing space for foster carers and families. It allows them to 'recharge their batteries' for anything from a couple of days to a fortnight. Children also benefit from the opportunity for individual attention.
Foster care provides a supportive family atmosphere for children and young people when circumstances mean they cannot stay with their own families, whether temporarily or more permanently. Links with the child's birth family will be maintained. The Council is particularly looking for carers who are able to offer placements to teenagers to take them through to independence.
Adopting means giving children a permanent home. All legal rights and responsibilities pass to the adoptive parents and the child will take their name.
The Council also runs a specialist foster care service called Care 4, which offers teenagers the opportunity of living within a family environment. Carers receive fees equivalent to the salary of a Social Care Officer, to provide intensive, one-to-one support to the young person.
For more information about becoming a carer, please contact the Council on 01738 626940 or email
ecsfosteringandadoption@pkc.gov.uk. Support, training and allowances are provided to carers.
