Plan will aid vulnerable children
Published 31 May 2012 09:30
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A NEW plan has been launched which aims to give vulnerable children and young people in Renfrewshire a better start in life.
The Adoption Services Plan aims to provide a safety net for the growing number of children and young people whose families are unable to look after them.
It has been introduced by Renfrewshire Council.
The authority says it has a constant demand for foster carers and adoptive parents and is currently running a recruitment campaign.
Over the last three years the number of children adopted in Renfrewshire has risen from 11 to 18.
Councillor Iain McMillan, convener of Renfrewshire Council's Community and Family Care Policy Board, said, "Every child in Renfrewshire matters. Every child has a right to a childhood where they feel loved and a right to grow up in a safe environment which helps them achieve everything they're capable of.
"The best place for a child is with their own family. But where this isn't safe or doesn't meet the child's needs, we will look at other solutions including adoption.
"Our Adoption Plan is geared up to making sure that we have enough foster carers and adoptive parents. It also ensures that we provide the support that everyone who is touched by the adoption process needs, from the child through to adults who may be trying to contact their natural families."
The number of children and young people who are looked after by local authorities is at an all-time high and has increased every year for the last decade.
Currently councils in Scotland look after 16,171 vulnerable children.
The need for more foster carers and adoptive parents has mirrored the increase in the number of children looked after by councils, and has virtually doubled since 1987.
Residents can call 0141 842 4077 for more information on how to become a foster carer or an adoptive parent or visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/fostering
This article appeared in The Gazette 31 May 12
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