According to the Fostering Network, a child comes into care and needs a foster family every 22 minutes across the UK.

Some children only need to spend a short time in foster care, if a parent becomes ill and there are no other family members locally to help in these situations or some may need to stay with a foster family until they grow up and can live on their own.

In Aberdeenshire the number of children who need to be looked after outwith their own family is constantly increasing and last year 135 fostering requests for children were made.

There is also a nationwide shortage of permanent foster carers and placements for teenagers and this is evident in Aberdeenshire with around 20 children aged between 8 and 12 years old who are waiting on a permanent foster placement.

Head of Children’s Services, Bob Driscoll said “We have a very committed and skilled pool of foster carers who provide excellent care for children ranging from short periods right through to more permanent arrangements.

“We want to recruit more foster carers however in order to retain children in their local communities.

“I encourage individuals or couples from all walks of life to contact our dedicated team who will answer any questions and explain what is involved in helping our young people be all that they can be”.

Find out more about fostering in Aberdeenshire at www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/children/fostering/index.asp or call 01467 625555