CHILDREN who have experienced trauma are to benefit from a new foster care system.

Kibble and Strathclyde University have enabled the development one of the UK’s most comprehensive foster care services for children who have experienced trauma.

Children’s charity Kibble will now provide an Intensive Fostering Service, known as Intensive Fostering Services Plus (IFS+), based on analysis of the needs of children who have experienced major trauma in their early years.

The initiative, funded by the Scottish Government and European Social Fund, also receiving support from European Charitable partners, CELCIS and Who Cares Scotland combines the skills of a highly experienced foster carer in the family home.

Children also have support in the community, alongside experienced support staff from Kibble - something that doesn’t currently exist in Scotland.

Kay Gibson, Operations Manager at Kibble, said: “The need for this type of comprehensive placement is better understood following our collaborative work with Strathclyde University.

“Together we have studied Kibble’s IFS critically reflecting on what works and what is additionally needed to ensure the best package for children and young people with complex needs.

“Many of these young people have experienced multiple adverse and extreme experiences in their childhood resulting in their behaviour being difficult to manage in a foster family setting.

“It builds on the services already available from Kibble but also adds an additional, comprehensive offering of support.

"This enables carers and staff to support the most vulnerable children with complex needs within a foster family as opposed to residential home.

"We are keen to speak to experienced foster carers and care staff, interested in working as part of a team who we will train while providing high-levels of ongoing support.”

Children and young people in Scotland who have been affected by significant levels of trauma would be assisted by the service, receiving an intensive package of support which can cover many aspects of their daily routines and education during the school day.

Kibble’s IFS currently provides continuity of dedicated care, which is highly beneficial as the child grows up and the organisation is now recruiting experienced foster carers to work on IFS+ placements.

It will soon be advertising vacancies for support staff to work on IFS+ placements

Professor Bernard Harris, Head of the School of Social Work and Social Policy at Strathclyde University, said: “We are delighted to have been able to work with the Kibble Education and Care Centre to improve our understanding of the challenges facing children who have experienced trauma and those who seek to support them.”