Do you have what it takes?

Become a foster carer

Over the coming months, the Foster Care recruitment team is encouraging people from different cultural, religious and ethnic groups to come forward and find out more about becoming a foster carer.

The role of a foster carer is extremely important. As the Asian, black and eastern European communities continue to grow, we need to increase carer numbers to better represent the cultural diversity of the city.

Currently, carers from mixed backgrounds make up around 2 per cent of Edinburgh’s population.

Children who need to be fostered should have the opportunity to live with a family from a similar background.

Edinburgh currently needs around nine new foster carers from mixed backgrounds.

Rodaina Al Khateb has been a full-time carer for ten years. She plays an important role in the community encouraging other people to become carers. Rodaina cares for children of all religions and cultures, but believes that having a varied background helps.

“I have cared for children from different backgrounds,” she said. “What is nice is that I explain Muslim traditions to them, such as Ramadan.

“Equally, we talk about Christianity and celebrate Christmas and Easter with them. It helps to educate them and make them feel part of our family for the time they are with us.

“The Muslim faith encourages you to care and be giving and fostering is such a great way to do it.”

For more information, please visit www.edinburgh.gov.uk/fostering or call 0800 174 833.