Interested in fostering or adoption?

Colleagues across Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) are being encouraged to consider whether fostering or adoption could be right for them, or to help spread the word to friends, family and others who may be interested.

Families for Children is currently seeking more foster carers and adopters to provide safe, stable and nurturing homes for children and young people across Glasgow. The need remains significant, with many children requiring care and support within their local communities and others waiting for permanent adoptive families. Children of all ages require family placements, including babies, toddlers, primary school-aged children and teenagers, each needing the safety, stability and support that a family can provide.

To recognise the invaluable contribution foster carers make, Glasgow City Integration Joint Board recently approved increased fostering fees, reflecting the important role carers play in supporting some of the city's most vulnerable children.

Foster carers and adopters come from all walks of life and bring a wide range of experiences and skills to the role. While people often assume fostering requires specialist qualifications or previous childcare experience, the most important qualities are patience, understanding, resilience and a commitment to helping children thrive. Full training, guidance and support are provided throughout the fostering and adoption journey.

The impact foster carers and adopters have on children's lives can be profound. Often, it is the everyday moments that matter most: creating positive memories, celebrating achievements, supporting school attendance and building confidence. These experiences help children feel valued, safe and supported.

Every day, Glasgow's foster carers provide nurturing love, stability and support to children and young people. However, for many children, fostering is one stage of a wider journey. When care plans identify adoption as the best long-term outcome, children need adoptive parents who can offer them a permanent, loving home at the right time in their lives. Families for Children is currently facing similar challenges in recruiting adoptive families, making it more important than ever that people consider whether they could help through fostering, adoption or by encouraging others to find out more.

Many foster carers and adopters describe their role as one of the most rewarding things they have ever done. As well as making a difference to a child’s life, they often speak about the positive impact the experience has had on their own families and communities.

Even if fostering or adoption is not something you have considered personally, you may know someone who could provide a loving home to a child or young person. By sharing information with friends, family members, neighbours or colleagues, you can help Families for Children reach people who could make a lasting difference.

To find out more please contact the Families for Children team on 0345 276 5555 or visit www.fosterglasgow.org