Fostering provides a stable family life for children and young people who can't live with their birth family. Every situation is different and the time with the family can last from days or weeks right up to years, depending on what is best for the child.

The theme of this year’s awareness-raising fortnight is The Power of Relationships, emphasising that at the heart of every fostering journey are the strong, trusting connections that shape lives, create stability and open up new possibilities for the future.

The council is looking for new foster carers who live in South Lanarkshire and would especially welcome those who could support older children and children from family groups to ensure siblings can continue to live together.

Further information and a chance to make an enquiry about fostering can be found on the council website.

Professor Soumen Sengupta, Chief Officer of South Lanarkshire University Health and Social Care Partnership said: “When I speak with local foster carers I am always struck and inspired by how much fulfilment they find in providing much-needed support to children and young people to let them feel safe and loved.

“Being placed with a foster carer gives these children and young people the opportunity to develop nurturing, patient, kind, compassionate, trusting and respectful relationships.

“Foster care can – and has – changed the trajectory of the lives of countless children and young people in South Lanarkshire for the better. I would urge anyone who is thinking about becoming a foster carer to contact us to learn more about what it involves and the support that is given before and during the experience.

“The dedicated and experienced staff of our Family Connections team work closely with, and provide expert support to, our local foster carers and the children and young people in their care. I am hugely appreciative of the team’s dedication and compassion, as well as for the support their work receives from across Lanarkshire as a whole, such as from the county’s Lord Lieutenant, Lady Haughey.”