"...families come in all shapes and sizes..." - Find out more about adoption and fostering at Grampian Pride event

Aberdeenshire Council’s adoption and fostering teams are to have a stall at this year’s Grampian Pride event in Aberdeen on Saturday 28 May.

They will be based in the marquee all day at the Beach Boulevard in Aberdeen, taking the opportunity to raise awareness of adoption and fostering, why they’d like to help siblings stay together and the benefits of working directly with Aberdeenshire Council’s dedicated teams.

Leigh Jolly, Head of Children’s Services for the council explains: “We welcome all members of our communities, including same-sex couples, single people, those with children of their own and those who don’t, to explore their interest in adoption and fostering with us. The most important thing is we find people who can offer children and young people family life full of love, nurture and patience.”

By fostering or adopting with Aberdeenshire Council, applicants will have the opportunity to work with dedicated and experienced teams who offer life-long support as required. Members of the fostering and adoption teams will be there at the event and available to have an informal chat with anyone who wishes to find out more.

Cllr Gillian Owen, Chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Education and Children’s Services Committee comments: “We recognise families come in all shapes and sizes and we welcome the opportunity to spread the word about our excellent adoption and fostering services at the Grampian Pride event. There’s absolutely no pressure to apply on the day, this is more about giving people the chance to ask questions and find out a little bit more about what we do.

“The support offered by our teams is second-to-none and I do hope their presence at the Pride event will encourage more people to consider their journey into fostering or adoption.”

Aberdeenshire Council offers an unlimited period of post-adoption support which includes workshops on topics including therapeutic play techniques, managing challenging behaviour, life stories (and helping adopted children to explore their history), as well as one-to-one advice and support any time you need it. They also host family fun days and can give you all the help you need under one umbrella, from the first time you enquire and throughout your child’s life.

Foster carers are also supported by their own dedicated fostering social worker who will offer support and guidance throughout their fostering journey. Support groups also meet regularly where foster carers can talk to and learn from each other. Ongoing training is also provided by Aberdeenshire Council alongside membership of The Fostering Network which is funded by the council and open to all Aberdeenshire foster carers for independent advice and guidance.

Now more than ever it is hoped potential carers will be open to the idea of keeping siblings together where possible and maintaining contact with siblings where it’s not. Feedback from families underlines how much it means to make a difference to a child or young person’s life.

If you are considering adopting or for more information email adoption@aberdeenshire.gov.uk or call 01467 53280.

If you would like to find out more about becoming a foster carer, please visit: https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/children-and-families/fostering/ You can then request an information pack by emailing fostering@aberdeenshire.gov.uk or calling 01467 532700.

You can also follow @adoptandfosteraberdeenshire on Facebook.