There are few things more powerful than a safe, loving home.
Right now, across the Highlands, children and young people are waiting for someone to open their door and say, “You belong here.”
As Foster Care Fortnight unfolds from 12 to 25 May, Highland Council is making a heartfelt appeal for new foster carers to step forward and make a life-changing difference.
Foster care is more than just a temporary arrangement.
It is a lifeline for children who need stability, care and someone who believes in them.
Councillor David Fraser, Chair of the Health Social Care and Wellbeing Committee, put it plainly: “Foster care is at the heart of our communities.”
By staying close to familiar schools, friends and routines, children in foster care can find comfort in continuity while they face personal challenges.
But the need for foster carers in Highland is urgent and growing.
The Council is looking for people who can offer care to babies, young children, teenagers and sibling groups.
There is also a call for emergency carers, short-term carers, and those who can offer respite care for children with additional needs.
Perhaps most importantly, Highland needs long-term foster carers who can give older children the chance to grow up in a secure, consistent home.
If you’re someone with patience, compassion and a willingness to learn, there’s a place for you in this community of carers.
And you won’t be alone. Foster carers in Highland support each other, sharing experience and wisdom every step of the way.
To help you explore what fostering might look like for you, Highland Council is hosting a series of relaxed online information sessions on MS Teams.
These are friendly, no-pressure events where you can hear directly from staff and carers:
Online sessions:
- Monday 12 May, 11am to 12 noon
- Wednesday 14 May, 6:30pm to 7:30pm
- Friday 16 May, 9:30am to 10:30am
- Monday 19 May, 5:30pm to 6:30pm
- Wednesday 21 May, 3:30pm to 4:30pm
To join, simply email fostering@highland.gov.uk and let them know which session suits you.
If you’d prefer a face-to-face chat, three welcoming drop-in events will also take place across the region:
In-person drop-ins:
- Wick Service Point, Caithness House – 14 May, 10:30am to 11:30am
- Fodderty Way, Dingwall – 22 May, 10:30am to 12 noon
- Family Resource Centre, Inverness – 27 May, 10:30am to 12:30pm
Every child deserves the chance to thrive.
This Foster Care Fortnight, the message is simple but profound: relationships change lives.
And the one you offer could be the turning point a young person is waiting for.
To learn more, visit www.highland.gov.uk/fosteringandadoption
