A Question and Answer session on Facebook is the latest initiative by the City of Edinburgh Council to recruit more foster carers.
This will be the first time the Council has used the social media tool in a bid to attract more people to become carers.
The session will take place on Monday 1st June between 6pm and 7pm as the authority marks the start of Foster Care fortnight.
The Council currently has 350 carers but is always trying to get more on their books.
Councillor Cathy Fullerton, Vice-Convener Children, Education and Families, said: “Using social media is a great of interacting with the public so why not use it to try and recruit potential foster carers.
“We have a real shortage of foster carers across Edinburgh and by using Facebook we’re hoping to encourage more people to consider becoming carers for children and young people. I’m sure next week’s event will prove to be a real success.
“Fostering is a hugely rewarding and really important job as it benefits some of the most vulnerable children in our society, helping them build a bright and confident future.”
Elaine McGill has been a foster carer with the City of Edinburgh Council for seven years. She will be taking part in the Facebook event along with other experts and carers in the field, including one carer who has recently transferred to the Council from another agency.
She said: “I’m really excited about Monday’s Q and A as it will give people a chance to ask us what fostering is really like and how it has changed our lives.’
Anyone interested in taking part in the Facebook Q and A should visit the Foster Edinburgh Facebook page between 6pm and 7pm next Monday.
The Council are also holding a double drop in session for anyone interested in being a foster carer next Thursday 4 June at Waverley Court between 12pm and 2pm and then 5pm to 7pm.
For more details about becoming a foster carer go to the Foster Edinburgh website or contact 0800 174 833 or 0131 529 2773.
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