SCOTLAND: NATIONAL ADOPTION WEEK

Search to find new home for four brothers

Four brothers aged between six and 10 are appealing for a new family to give them a permanent home.

A search has been launched to find a family willing to adopt the siblings who are currently living with temporary foster carers. Adoption officials are determined to keep the youngsters, aged six, seven, nine and 10, together but this is making it especially difficult to find them a new mum and dad. The identity of the children is not being released but social work officials described their personalities. The six-year-old is a happy and playful child who thrives on set daily routines, while the nine-year-old is shy but is happiest with his brothers. The seven-year-old has an infectious laugh and loves to play outside, and the 10-year-old is gregarious and engages well with others.

Their stories have been highlighted as part of National Adoption Week, which aims to encourage more people to consider fostering or adopting. A spokeswoman for North Lanarkshire said the case of the brothers showed that children of all ages needed adoptive homes. She said: "The four boys have formed a close bond and need the security of a loving family. We are hopeful we can find a suitable family."

Councillor Harry McGuigan, convener of the council's social work committee, said: "We still need more people to help care for the many children and young people who, particularly, need a permanent family home."

Foster carers and adoptive parents receive training, support and advice. Earlier this year, Renfrewshire announced plans to pay foster carers more than £18,000 a year. Carers receive £353 a week per child, the highest payment in Scotland and receive daytime respite care and qualify for retainer payments. Figures from the Scottish Executive show 11,700 children aged under 18 in Scotland are in care. Glasgow, which has around 800 children awaiting foster homes, has put up its payments from £137 per child to £264.

Jonathan Paisley
8 November 2006

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/hi/news/5059040.html

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