Leading children’s charity Barnardo’s has backed a warning from all 32 local authorities that the country is facing “an emergency for Scotland’s care system”. In June, all 32 chief social work officers issued a rare joint statement in which they pointed to “an acute shortage of suitable homes and carers for children who are unable to remain in the care of their family”.
It is a dangerous situation for hundreds of children in the care system that Barnardo’s pointed to more than two years ago, as Michele Janes, Director of Barnardo’s Scotland, explains: “Back in May 2024, my predecessor, Martin Crewe, uttered the following six words: ‘Fostering in Scotland is in crisis.’ Worryingly, that assertion has now been backed up by Scotland’s chief social work officers.
“While the statement made for shocking reading, much of its content did not come as a surprise to our fostering teams across Scotland. We recognise the statement that the capacity of the care system is saturated, and it is staggering to learn that, in some parts of the country, social workers have had to take children home with them as no other safe options are available.
“A shortage of foster carers leaves hundreds of children without a safe and loving home, and that is something we work every day to address. We strongly believe that any loving person can make a wonderful foster parent to a child in need, and we would urge people to consider fostering with us today.”
One couple, from Fife, who foster with Barnardo’s had this to say about the journey: “One of the primary reasons for our decision to move from our first agency to Barnardo’s was the Barnardo’s culture. We feel ‘safe’ with Barnardo's. Our confidence has been restored to such an extent that we now feel able to open our home to another long-term child. For us, the most rewarding aspect of fostering is the children and the joy they bring. We feel included; we are part of the Barnardo’s team and that the Barnardo’s culture is right for us.”
Barnardo’s in Scotland is committed to keeping The Promise to care-experienced young people and to ensure every child in Scotland grows up safe, loved and respected. That is why the charity is calling on people to consider joining Barnardo’s Scotland as a foster carer. Barnardo’s has more than 80 years of experience of successfully placing children and young people with families, and there are many benefits to being a carer.
Those looking to foster will be supported with a thorough child-and-carer matching process, as well as out-of-hours advice and a support line service provided by the social work team. There are support groups and family social events, held to enable carers to meet the team and other local carers, along with a high level of professional training and development, relevant to each specific child’s needs.
All foster carers receive an allowance which is designed to cover the cost of caring for a fostered child. This is intended to cover food, clothes, toys, pocket money, gifts, personal items, transport and all other expenses incurred when looking after a child and/or young person, including household costs.
Michele Janes added: “But this challenge will not be solved through foster carer recruitment alone. A sustainable response must also attract support existing carers to stay, strengthen the networks around them and invest in a broader range of care and support.
“We urge the Scottish Government to prioritise more support for foster carers across Scotland, and to continue investment in whole-family support. As MSPs embark on the first year of this new Parliament after their return from summer recess, and as we prepare to consider the forthcoming Programme for Government, we urge every party to recommit to delivery of The Promise and to give the ongoing crisis in children’s care the serious attention that it demands.”
To tackle the ongoing crisis in fostering, Barnardo’s Scotland unveiled the ‘Mockingbird model’ in 2021 in collaboration with The Fostering Network, which is inspired by the support and relationships of an extended family. This involves creating a ‘hub home’ with an experienced carer acting as a ‘grandparent’, surrounded by nearby homes that form a ‘constellation’.
The aim is to mirror an extended family, so that children can develop relationships not only with their own carers, but also with other children and carers. Barnardo’s would like to see the wider development of fostering models such as ‘Mockingbird’ across the UK.
For more information on becoming a foster carer with Barnardo’s in Scotland, please visit www.barnardos.org.uk/foster, or call 0800 0277 280. The charity’s lines are open from Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm.
Barnardo’s has been helping children, young people and families to be safer, happier, healthier and more hopeful for 160 years. Last year, the charity supported more than 12,000 children, young people, parents and carers through 150 services. This vital work is only possible thanks to Barnardo’s partners and supporters. Together, the charity brings love, care and hope into children’s lives, so every child can feel like they belong. To donate, volunteer or fundraise for Barnardo’s in Scotland, please visit: www.barnardos.org.uk/get-involved/raise-money.