A CHARITY has called for moves to reduce the numbers of times foster children move between families with a third of individuals switching home at least twice a year.

More than 1,900 young people in foster care in Scotland changed their families at least twice between April 2014 and March this year, according to newly released Freedom of Information figures.

The charity which unearthed the figures has warned that the constant moves are having a detrimental effects on the individuals.

Action for Children said children who regularly move between foster care homes are more likely to have poor social skills, will fare more poorly in education and may have limited employment prospects.

Carol Iddon, Director of the charity's children's services across Scotland said children suffered when they were being constantly uprooted.

She added: "For children in care, moving home is not just about leaving a house. It means leaving a family, friends, school and everything that's familiar to start all over again."

The Glasgow-based organisation fears the upheaval will have an impact on any pre-existing behavioural and emotional issues the children may have.

Dumfries and Galloway Council have the biggest problem in per centage terms with more than half of the 143 children in foster care in the having been put through two or more placements.

The Orkney Islands have only 20 children in foster care butr more than a third of them have been moved more than once. Comparative figures for Glasgow are not available but more than 1,000 foster children have been in two or more placements in the city.

Mrs Iddon added: "It is impossible to imagine the damage to a child or young person, who has already had the toughest start in life, to have to move several times a year until they find the right foster carer who will stick with them through thick and thin. We know of children as young as four who have had to move three times in less than a year before finding a stable family home."

She accepted that there were times when moves were inevitable for those in foster care. "Sadly we know that it can be necessary to move children from their current foster homes as relationships between a carer and child can break down, especially for children who have faced the most traumatic experiences and find it hard to trust someone new.

However, she added, "too many children in care are still facing instability in their lives."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Research clearly shows that good foster parents make a world of difference to the experience of children and young people. They improve daily life; support progress in education; give stability and security; build confidence and lay the foundations for a successful adult life.

“Giving children security is paramount and we are working with our partners across local government and the third sector to ensure children who can no longer live at home get stability in their lives as quickly and effectively as possible. We have also raised the age at which young people can stay with a foster family as part of the continuing care provisions and expanded the support available when they move into independent living.

In the light of the findings, the charity is now putting out a call for more adults to consider becoming foster parents to help children and young people overcome their problems. Ms Iddon says foster parents are key in "helping them to love and trust again, feel safe, rebuild their sense of worth and belonging."

The government's spokesman welcomed the campaign. “We would encourage anyone interested in finding out more about making the commitment to change the life of a child or young person to contact their local authority in the first instance."