SWIIS Foster Care Scotland have dedicated a prestigious national award success to the “amazingly devoted carers and inspirational children and young people” who empower their acclaimed service.
The family-run fostering agency celebrated after being announced as winners of the Scottish Social Services Awards for Excellence in Childcare in a ceremony at the Glasgow Science Centre.
Scottish Government’s Deputy Chief Social Work Adviser Joanna MacDonald announced Swiis Foster Care Scotland’s success at an event hosted by STV weather forecaster and presenter Sean Batty.
The director of Swiis Foster Care Scotland, Sam Arnott, has dedicated the award to both the children and young people within Swiis, and their outstanding foster carers who provide exceptional care and support to them each and every day.
Sam said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won the ‘Excellence in Childcare’ category of the Scottish Social Services Awards; this is a genuine seal of approval for everyone in our service.
“I am so proud of our staff, our fantastic carers, and the children and young people themselves.
“We dedicate the award to those amazingly devoted carers and inspirational children and young people.
“Within Swiis we endeavour to secure positive outcomes for our children and young people, affording them every opportunity to fulfil their full potential.
“Every single member of Swiis Foster Care Scotland has a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the lives of our children and create the best possible outcomes for every child and young person within our care.”
The Scottish Social Services Awards childcare category recognises the work of organisations and individuals committed to excelling in the ‘Getting It Right For Every Child’ (GIRFEC) approach by supporting children in imaginative and child-centred ways.
Swiis Foster Care Scotland’s headquarters is in Fife, covering Edinburgh and south-east Scotland, with supporting offices in Dundee, covering Tayside and north Scotland and Glasgow, covering west and central Scotland.
An impressive 100 per cent of Swiis Foster Care Scotland school leavers move on to a positive destination such as employment, college or university, or apprenticeship programmes. 93% achieved SCQF level 5, therefore improving their lifelong prospects.
Recently, one of Swiis’s young people won a gold medal at the 2023 Special Olympics, while another is on her way to becoming a shepherdess after taking part in an ‘Estates that Educate programme’ with Swiis.
Sam added: “We are committed to achieving the finest possible outcomes by creating environments where every child has an opportunity to flourish.
“We encourage our children to demonstrate and build upon their existing talents while also discovering new ideas and interests as they flourish and grow.
“Swiis recognise the essential role foster parents play in today’s society and we welcome people who are interested in exploring foster care as a genuinely rewarding career.
“We support our carers 24 hours per day and can offer people joining our service excellent renumeration and allowances, ongoing training, and exceptional support.
“Most of all though we offer an opportunity to have a positive impact on the life of a child or young person and make a genuine difference to their lives.”
• For further details about being a carer with the Swiis Foster Care Scotland, contacthello@swiisfostercarescotland.co.uk
