Shetland Islands Council has launched a new campaign aimed at encouraging more people across Shetland to consider becoming foster carers as demand for local support continues to grow.

The campaign has been launched during Foster Care Fortnight and focuses on the theme This is Fostering by sharing the real experiences of carers and young people living across the islands.

The council says children and young people in Shetland sometimes need to live away from their families either during short term family crises or for longer periods while circumstances are resolved.

As the only local fostering agency in Shetland, the council relies heavily on people within island communities to provide stable and supportive homes for children needing care.

The new campaign includes four case studies from foster carers living in different parts of Shetland alongside interviews with members of the council’s Family Placement Team.

The stories feature people from a wide range of backgrounds including working couples, retired carers and those living in rural and island communities.

The campaign also highlights the different forms fostering can take locally including respite care, short term placements and longer term support arrangements that can build strong relationships over time.

As part of the wider awareness drive, the council has introduced a new email subscription service for people who want to learn more about fostering without any pressure to apply immediately.

Subscribers will receive a short series of emails over several weeks covering common questions, practical information and real life experiences from local foster carers.

Campaign material including videos, case studies and information about fostering in Shetland is available through the council’s fostering website.

Residents are also being encouraged to share the information with friends, relatives or anyone they believe may be interested in fostering now or in the future.

A public Fostering Walk is also being organised at 11am on Thursday 21 May at Shetland Museum and Archives where people will have the opportunity to meet members of the Family Placement Team and existing foster carers in an informal setting.

Elaine Guest, Senior Social Worker at Shetland Islands Council, said:

“Fostering looks different for everyone, and this campaign is about showing the reality of fostering in Shetland through the voices of local carers and young people.

“We need foster carers across Shetland, in town and in rural areas alike, and we want people to feel informed and supported as they consider whether fostering could be right for them.

“Even taking time to learn more or share the information with someone else can make a real difference.”

For many rural and island communities, local foster carers can play a particularly important role by helping children remain connected to familiar schools, friends and communities during difficult periods in their lives.

All campaign content is available at www.shetland.gov.uk/fostering, where people can read the case studies, watch short videos and sign up for emails.