FOSTER carers in Renfrewshire have been praised for giving youngsters in the area who are unable to stay with their birth families a loving home.

Highlighting their work, the Education and Children’s Services’ Convener, Councillor Emma Rodden has said the commitment and love demonstrated by the carers in the authority is helping to change young people’s lives for the better.

Praising foster carers, in a statement, she said: “Ensuring children are safe, well and loved is the most important thing anyone can do.

“For children and young people who can no longer stay with birth families, being able to find a loving and welcoming home with a foster carer gives them the stability they need.

“Our foster carers continually demonstrate their care and commitment to the children and young people they care for, and I would like to thank them for everything they do.

“Fostering can be a highly rewarding experience and is one of the most important roles in our society. Each person who decides to foster any child or young person is making a huge and positive difference to their lives and giving them much-needed care and support.”

Additionally, the fostering team, alongside the adoption and support care teams, have also been praised in a recent Care Inspectorate report.

In the inspection report, staff were highlighted for the positive relationships they build with families and the culture of ambition they have for children and young people.

While it also said that youngsters were able to develop meaningful and secure relationships with their foster care families.

Councillor Rodden added: “One of the most important things is making sure that children and young people feel at home with their temporary or permanent carers.

“Our staff have shown time and again their dedication and commitment to children and young people, providing them with well-planned support that ensures their needs and interests are taken into account.

“Where we can, we keep brothers and sisters living together in their temporary or permanent homes and we need more people who can open up their homes and foster sibling groups, older children and children with additional support needs.

“I would encourage anyone who is thinking about being a foster carer to get in touch with our team.”