Members' Business: Foster Care Fortnight 2019

That the Parliament welcomes Foster Care Fortnight 2019, which takes place from 13 to 26 May; understands that this will be the UK’s biggest foster care awareness raising campaign and will showcase the commitment, passion and dedication of foster carers; notes that it will also seek to highlight that more foster carers are needed; understands that, in Scotland, although there are approximately 4,000 foster families, the Fostering Network estimates that this represents a shortfall of 550; believes that Action for Children, which supports 54 foster carers in Scotland, has stated that “becoming a foster carer can be one of the most rewarding things a person could ever do, as that person provides a loving and stable home for a child who can no longer live with their family"; acknowledges that people who have considered becoming a foster carer should know that, if they want to take the next step, organisations such as Action for Children, as well as local authorities, can provide support and information to assist their journey towards this; hopes the organisers of the fortnight enjoy every success with this celebration of fostering, and commends this work that aims to inspire more people to become foster carers.