When you believe in me …

BARNARDO’s Fostering and Adoption Week 23 – 29 January

A new survey by Barnardo’s has revealed that 75 per cent of children living in Scotland said having a parent or guardian that encourages or believes in them is important for a positive future when they are adults.

The poll to support Barnardo’s Fostering and Adoption Week (23 – 29 January 2017), of over 1,000 British children, aged eight to 15  also found that love (88 per cent), listening (82), encouragement (71)  and trust (69) were qualities that children in Scotland most appreciated in parents, guardians and carers and thought they were essential in a relationship for children to have a happy childhood.

When asked about memories that are special to them, 84 % said going on a family holiday, and 57 % said spending quality time with their parent or guardian.

Siobhan Carroll, Barnardo’s Scotland’s Assistant Director for Family Placement in Scotland, said: “This survey shows the fundamental role parents, guardians and carers play in a child’s life. Fostering and adoption can transform a child’s life and give them the childhood they so desperately deserve.”

This week, during Barnardo’s Fostering and Adoption Week (23 – 29 January 2017), the leading children’s charity is appealing to people in Edinburgh and the Lothians who are loving and supportive to consider fostering or adoption to make a difference to a child’s life.

There is currently a shortage of foster carers across Scotland, with particular need for carers who can provide safe, stable homes for teenagers, children with challenging behaviours and sibling groups.

There is currently a shortfall of around 4,500 foster carers in Scotland. Over the next year it is estimated that around 800 more foster families will be needed to care for the growing number of children and young people who need foster families.

Although there has been a slight increase in the number of children adopted in Scotland the charity is still in need of people to come forward to adopt.

Siobhan addeds:  “There is still a great demand for adoption families in Scotland, adopting can change children and young people’s lives for the better.”

The theme of this year’s Fostering and Adoption Week 2017 is ‘When you believe in me’.

When fostered and adopted children and young people were asked for an example of when a foster carer or parent (adopter) encouraged or believed in them there responses were:

–      ‘I was excluded from school for a long time because the school didn’t understand me.  My foster carer fought for me to go to another school which did rural skills and skills for work.  It suited me much better but I wouldn’t have got it if it wasn’t for them.’

–      ‘I like being in my new family because I know I am never going to leave, they push for me.’

–      ‘They keep all my memories up to date so I know what has happened even for the times I can’t remember.

–      ‘I do feel listened to when I have something to say’

–      ‘I didn’t like books because I couldn’t read, but they read to me and encouraged me to read, and now I have a whole shelf of books in my room.’

For more information about who can foster or adopt  or general information about fostering or adopting with Barnardo’s Scotland, please visit 

www.barnardos.org.uk/fostering  or www.barnardos.org.uk/adoption

or call us on 0800 0277 280.