The recognition reflects the practical support introduced through the council’s new Foster Friendly Policy.
Approved by the Enabling and Customer Services Committee in June, the policy strengthens the support available to employees who are foster carers, approved kinship carers or are going through the assessment process to become foster carers.
It includes up to 10 days’ paid leave in a rolling 12-month period, pro-rated where appropriate, for fostering and kinship care-related commitments. These can include training, assessments, panel meetings, reviews, supervision visits and helping a child settle into a new placement or school.
The policy also supports flexible working arrangements where operationally viable, access to other relevant leave provisions and clearer guidance for managers.
As a corporate parent, Dumfries and Galloway Council recognises the vital role foster and kinship carers play in providing safe, stable and nurturing homes for children and young people.
Supporting employees who take on these responsibilities also contributes to the wider need for more foster carers and can help children and young people remain connected to their communities wherever possible.
Councillor John Campbell, Chair of the Enabling and Customer Services Committee, said:
“Being recognised as a Fostering Friendly employer is something we can be proud of, but most importantly it represents meaningful and practical support for our council’s colleagues.
“Foster and kinship carers make an enormous contribution to the lives of children and young people. As both an employer and a corporate parent, we want colleagues taking on these important caring responsibilities to know that they are valued and supported.”
Councillor Ben Dashper, Vice-Chair of the Enabling and Customer Services Committee, said:
“Fostering and kinship care can involve appointments, training, meetings and sometimes situations which simply cannot be planned around a normal working day.
“Our new policy recognises that reality and gives colleagues clearer support and flexibility to help balance their working lives with the needs of the children and young people they care for.
“We also hope that demonstrating this support will encourage more people to think about whether fostering could be right for them.”
The policy applies to employees across the council, including prospective and approved foster carers, approved kinship carers, supported lodgings providers and Continuing Care carers.
Foster carers come from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances, and there is no single “typical” foster carer.
Anyone interested in finding out more about fostering in Dumfries and Galloway can contact [email protected] for an informal conversation.
Information and support relating to kinship care is available from [email protected].