Foster carers earn qualifications

Jun 5 2008 by Shirley Bartynek, Hamilton Advertiser

FOUR South Lanarkshire foster carers have gained caring qualifications.

Ron Gibson, from Biggar, Gill Seth from Larkhall, Elaine Graham from Carluke and Alice McPake from Blantyre have gained their SVQ3 awards in Health and Social Care.

Chairman of South Lanarkshire Council’s social work resources committee, councillor Jim Handibode, presented the certificates at a lunch held in Hamilton Accies’ stadium function room.

Also on hand to pass on congratulations were director of social work Harry Stevenson and head of children and family services Brenda Doyle.

Councillor Handibode praised the dedication of foster carers and encouraged more people in South Lanarkshire to consider fostering.

She said: “We need people like Ron, Gill, Elaine and Alice who are genuinely interested in supporting vulnerable children.”

Gill Seth, a foster carer for 11 years, said: “The most important thing is to be in the position to give a child a stable home environment.”

For details on fostering, call the Family Placement Team on: 01698 454895 or email ada.niddrie@southlanarkshire.gov.uk.