Families are being sought to help address a crippling lack of carers across Perth and Kinross and help children in need.
An increasing number of youngsters require to be looked after by the council, often coming from complex and difficult backgrounds.
The care they receive can be critical to their future lives and in many cases ensures they can remain in the area, close to friends and family.
The need to recruit more carers for local children and young people has seen the local authority launch a new campaign to boost numbers.
The region – and many others across Scotland – has long suffered from a shortage of foster carers for those who, for a range of reasons, need to be accommodated away from their birth family on a temporary or permanent basis.
There is also a need for families willing to act as respite and short break carers, particularly to help families with children who have disabilities.
A third key area in which the council is hoping to find help is in providing supported lodgings to young people aged 16 and over who are moving on from being looked after by the council.
There are a significant number of such youngsters who need a safe and supportive environment in which they can develop the skills they need for adult life, such as cooking, cleaning and budgeting.
Assistance will be offered by the council and its education and children’s services department in particular to all those who volunteer.
Foster carers and supported lodgings providers both receive training and ongoing support, while weekly fees are also paid that reflect the particular types of care and support being offered.
Sheena Devlin, director of education and children’s services, said: “We already have a very dedicated group of people providing temporary and permanent foster care and supported lodgings in Perth and Kinross.
“Their role in supporting us to provide care and support to some of the most vulnerable children and young people in our communities is absolutely vital.
“The aim in launching this campaign is to ensure that into the future we have a sufficient pool of carers available to meet youngsters’ needs here in Perth and Kinross.”
The region’s head of service for children, young people and families, Jacquie Pepper, said volunteering for any of the roles could help transform a young life.
“This help means looked after children and young people can be accommodated within the local area.
“It will remove the need to access placements further afield in Scotland and the issues this presents for children and young people, their birth families, the social workers that support them and the council.
“You don’t need formal qualifications to be a foster carer or supported lodgings provider, but patience, understanding and a good sense of humour are essential, as is the willingness to provide a stable, secure family environment.”
Anyone interested in becoming a foster carer can call 01738 477806 or email ecsfpduty@pkc.gov.uk, while those who can offer supported lodgings can call 01738 783466 or email supportedlodgings@pkc.gov.uk.
Visit www.pkc.gov.uk/fosteringadoption for more information.