Published Date: Jan 16th, 2025
Fife Council's Family Based Care team is holding a drop-in information event for anyone wanting to learn more about fostering, adoption, Shared Lives, and supported lodgings. It's a chance to meet and chat with foster carers, adopters and social workers.
The event will be at the Kingdom Shopping Centre next to WH Smith, Glenrothes, starting Monday 3 to Saturday 8 February from 10am-6pm each day.
Myrna Venters, foster carer, says: "I never imagined I would foster. I had my own family, so it didn't really cross my mind. it was a council advertising campaign that inspired me to find out what was involved. But, it took me over a year before I decided I was ready to go ahead. Since then, I've never looked back and here I am still fostering over 20 years later.
"It's been challenging at times but overall it's been so satisfying watching the children grow and mature. Some of the children I first fostered are now grown up with families of their own. Come along to the drop-in event and meet people like me who've got experiences to share!"
James Ross, Fife Council Head of Children and Families and Criminal Justice, said: "Becoming a foster carer or adopting can seem like a big life choice, so we're excited to give everyone the chance to speak with real foster carers, adopters and supported lodgings providers, ask questions and hear about real experiences.
"There are a lot of options if you're interested in helping local children and young people in Fife. We provide a lot of support to all our carers through competitive financial packages, local support groups, and continuous support from our staff.
"So, if you could offer a Fife child or young person a safe, secure and supportive home environment to give them a chance to enjoy their youth, build their confidence and become independent, then we need you. You can make the world of difference to our local children!
"Please come and meet us to find out more."
Fife COuncil currently has just over 200 fostering housefolds, who support children and young people in a variety of ways.
Children can be fostered from birth until their 18th birthday, with new legislation supporting young people to stay with their former foster carer until they are 21.
Go to www.foster.fife.scot or call us on 01383 602235 for more information and to enquire.
Supported lodgings is a Fife Council scheme providing in-home accommodation and support to Fife's young people 16 and over who are leaving care or facing homelessness.
There's lots of information about the scheme on Supported lodgings scheme | Fife Council.
