Campaign aims to recruit more foster carers in area

A new recruitment campaign to help find more foster carers has been launched to mark Foster Care Fortnight-and people across South Lanarkshire are being encouraged to consider if they could provide"a safe, supportive foster home for a child or young person".

- IAN BUNTING

The Scottish Government initiative, which was announced by First Minister John Swinney, aims to support the recruitment of more local authority foster carers and raise awareness of the benefits of fostering.

The Fostering Network estimates that Scotland needs at least 400 additional foster carers.

The campaign highlights how the “ordinary” - from eating together, to watching TV together - can be extraordinary in the life of a child in foster care.

Sarah Bennett, who has been a foster carer for 14 years, added: "People often speak about how foster caring changes children’s lives, but he’s changed our lives completely.