Foster care - Ailsa Thom

Ailsa Thom was awarded her Paul Harris Fellowship in 2017 for her work with the Visoi Children’s Centre International in Kenya. On this occasion, however, she addressed the Club on the subject of Foster Care in Scotland.

Ailsa gave an interesting and at times surprising account of the situation in Scotland. Out of a total of some 15000 children in care, only a minority are fostered. 28% are in kinship care, ie in the care of family members and 26% continue to live at home but subject to oversight. Only 10% are in residential care. The main reason for their care is not their behaviour so much as a need for their protection. Their background is often one of neglect in a dysfunctional household. This background often impacts on physical health and brain development, which can lead in turn not just to challenging behaviour but to a likelihood of alcohol and drug addiction and criminal activity. There are, however, notable successes as a result of fostering with some progressing through education to university.

The choice of foster carers is critical and there is a thorough and comprehensive assessment process over a period of some 6 to 10 months. That assessment covers health, social stability and financial security. Interestingly most people applying to be foster carers are of mature years, with a large proportion in the 55-64 age group. They have to be prepared to accept challenging behaviour but fostering is seen to be a most rewarding job, if one of the hardest.

Peter McGavigan thanked Ailsa on behalf of the Club for a fascinating talk.