Councillors praise amazing East Lothian Council foster carers and appeal for more people to come forward.
I pay tribute to all of our foster carers for the incredible and life-changing work that they do supporting children and young people and providing stability and a loving home.
The number of preparation groups being held for prospective foster carers has risen in East Lothian but more needs to be done to attract carers for teenagers and Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children, Councillors have heard.
A meeting of the council’s Education and Children’s Services Committee was updated on the authority’s efforts to recruit more foster carers and its work to support children and young people who require care outwith their home.
Increased fees for foster carers
Recognising the important role that foster carers play and higher costs of living, East Lothian Council increased its weekly payments and introduced a more streamlined payment structure for foster carers from April 2024.
The committee heard that current East Lothian foster carers welcomed the fee increase and word of mouth within the community has led to local carers working for private agencies seeking to move their registration to the council. Due to the length of time the assessment process can take to complete for new carers, it is not yet possible to see the full impact of the fostering fee increase however officers reported that the fostering team is running three preparation groups within 12 months for the first time in some years providing ‘a clear sign’ that the position is improving.
Shortage of local carers
Children’s services continue to prioritise keeping children at home when they are safe and loved, or with extended family through kinship arrangements wherever possible, and the number of children in foster care is falling because of this work. However, there are still children who need foster care and a shortage of local carers mean that placements can not always be found within the county, meaning children are moved away from familiar people and connections.
Councillors heard that monthly-drop in sessions were offering prospective foster carers the opportunity to find out more in a relaxed and informal setting. Promotion through social media was also ongoing to increase awareness of foster care and attract new interest.
Incredibly rewarding role
Cabinet member for Education and Children’s and Family Services Councillor Fiona Dugdale said: “I am really pleased to hear that more people are coming forward to learn about fostering. It’s an incredibly rewarding role and I pay tribute to all of our foster carers for the incredible and life-changing work that they do supporting children and young people and providing stability and a loving home.
“Having a steady number of local foster carers is so important. Not only does this mean children and young people can stay closer to the local connections that are familiar to them, including school, it means the fostering team can work to better match children to carers, making it a more positive experience for everyone involved.
“In particular we need more people open to providing foster care for teenagers and for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
“Our teams find it heartbreaking when they have someone in need of foster care but no space locally for them. I’d encourage anyone who has considered fostering to get in touch with the team to find out more. They are available at every step of the way to help you from deciding if foster care is the right move for you through to your first placement and beyond.”
Amazing community of foster carers
East Lothian Council’s Head of Children’s Services Lindsey Byrne said: “I am so grateful to our amazing community of foster carers who regularly go above and beyond to provide children with nurturing and loving homes. I would encourage anyone who has considered fostering to pick up the phone to our dedicated team or look out for our next drop in event. We would be delighted to hear from you.”
The fostering team is holding an informal drop-in for anyone interested in finding out more about fostering on 27 March 1pm-3.30pm in John Muir House, Haddington. Come along and meet the team to find out more about becoming a foster carer and the support on offer at every step of your journey.