Police hunt after girl, 15, is raped near home

Police hunt after girl, 15, is raped near home

RAYMOND HAINEY POLICE were yesterday hunting a rapist after a horrific sex attack on a schoolgirl. The 15-year-old was grabbed from behind, dragged into bushes and raped as she made her way home along Drum Brae North in Edinburgh's Corstorphine area on Saturday night.

Detective Sergeant Stuart Hood, of Lothian and Borders Police, said: "This was a particularly brutal and frightening assault on a young girl who was almost home." The girl was spotted by an elderly couple after her ordeal and helped home. The attack happened at the brow of Drum Brae North just before midnight on Saturday. DS Hood said the girl had left two friends on a bus from Blackhall just before the attack. He added that she had passed a group of youngsters near the foot of Drum Brae shortly before her attacker struck. DS Hood said: "We urgently want to speak to these young people and to the elderly couple. It is very important that they come forward." He added: "This is quite a busy area and there could have been taxi drivers, bus drivers and other people in the area who may have seen something suspicious" The girl was able to give police a description of her attacker. He was a slim white male aged between 19 and 20 and 5 feet 7 inches tall. He had an Edinburgh accent, dark short hair and was wearing a round necked jumper with three dark hoops, blue jeans and trainers. This article: http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1180632006

Last updated: 14-Aug-06 02:02 BST#

Male abuse victim's 'lost childhood' A male victim of sexual abuse in Northern Ireland has told how he feels robbed of his childhood. Gerard was abused when he was a boy by his neighbour, Joseph Henry Bateson. Bateson was jailed for 11 years in March 2004 for a string of sex offences, including gross indecency and indecent assault. He had been described in court as an "ideal father and husband." Gerard said he felt that because of what had happened to him, he had been given a life sentence. "My childhood was robbed. I was sentenced to a life sentence to carry what happened to me as a child. "Joseph Bateson will get out, he will serve his time." He said he felt a sense of shock, but also relief, after the court case ended. "I felt nothing after it; I was shocked, I absolutely couldn't speak," he said. "All I remember is that my father hit me in the back and said: 'Keep your head up son, you've done well'. "It just hit me then that, after four years, I'd got there legally, and it was a relief." Gerard believes that the law needs to be tougher on sex offenders. "The law is not anywhere near tough enough. I was sentenced to carry this for the rest of my life, from 1979. "Twenty-seven years later I'm still carrying it. Mr Bateson will be out in five and half years. He was sentenced to 11 years. Where's the justice in that? "I didn't actually know going through the legal process that at the end of it all Bateson will get 50% remission. "I thought it was only a political thing, I didn't know it was to do with other prisoners as well. There's a whole stigma attached to male sexual abuse Gerard Sex abuse victim "Most of these sex offenders... do they ever change? "The law has to be looked at, something has to change." He said it was a very difficult to come forward after being abused. However, he decided to talk about his experiences to try to help other men or boys who have been abused. "There's a whole stigma attached to male sexual abuse. It's very much a man's world. I work in the building trade. Sometimes, growing up, I did feel less of a person, less of a man, maybe, for what happened to me. "The guys out at work, on the sites, everybody showed me massive respect, very, very much so. A lot of people have shook me by the hand on building sites and thanked me for coming forward. "Everybody who's important to me knows what happened and that's why I can come forward and speak about it. I have all the people behind me round home, round my area and my family. "Hopefully it will help other people, to make it easier for other people to come forward. If I can do it, anybody else can do it. I'm just an ordinary person. " Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/4785263.stm

Published: 2006/08/11 20:50:15 GMT

'Fewer delays' as alert remains

'Fewer delays' as alert remains

Passenger flights in Scotland were starting to return to normal following the nation's high-security alert, according to airport bosses. About 50 flights were cancelled on Friday, with others delayed for up to two hours. However, Glasgow Airport re-opened its doors to the public and all eight of Scotland's transatlantic flights left with shorter delays than on Thursday. The security clampdown was expected to remain in place for the next few days. A spokesman for BAA Scotland urged passengers to allow extra time to check in and pass through strict security searches. "Very limited" essential items only were being allowed as hand luggage. These items - including passports and wallets - must be carried on board in transparent plastic bags. Everything else must be put in hold luggage and checked in. Following the terror alert on Thursday, 80 flights leaving Scotland were cancelled, with scores more delayed as the new restrictions hit. On Friday, Easyjet cancelled all its Scottish services between Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. A spokesman said: "We apologise to those passengers on these affected flights and very much hope to be able to operate all other flights to the scheduled timetable." "Passengers can expect delays of up to an hour on some flights, but the majority of flights are operating normally BAA spokesman British Airways cancelled 30% of its short-haul and domestic services to and from Heathrow, affecting travellers across Europe. BMI said its regional domestic services from Aberdeen and Glasgow had been operating as normal. All of the airports have warned passengers flying over the weekend to check with their airlines and allow much more time for their journeys. BAA Scotland, which operates Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, said extra staff had been laid on to help travellers negotiate the additional security measures. A BAA spokesman said: "Passengers can expect delays of up to an hour on some flights, but the majority of flights are operating normally. "We ask anyone intending to fly today and over the weekend to arrive at the airport prepared. "This means arriving with no hand luggage and bringing those items allowed into the cabin in a clear plastic bag." Prestwick reported the cancellation of three flights on Friday, which were Ryanair flights to Stansted and Shannon. Two flights were cancelled at Inverness Airport and there were delays on the British Airways service to Gatwick. Kirkwall and Sumburgh both ran as normal and a spokesman for Dundee City Council said: "Flights are operating at Dundee Airport with services running about an hour late." Train operator GNER said it was running three extra services from Edinburgh to London King's Cross on Sunday at 1145 BST, 1245 BST and 1545 BST. The additional security measures came after police foiled an alleged plot to blow up planes from the UK in mid-flight. Police will continue to link in with community leaders to ensure we are aware of the issues affecting them and can respond to their needs Sir Willie Rae Strathclyde chief constable It is thought the plan was to detonate explosives in liquid form smuggled on to aircraft in hand luggage. Scotland Yard has arrested 24 people. UK police said the explosions could have caused "mass murder on an unimaginable scale". Security chiefs said the group believed to be planning the attack had been under surveillance for some time. Meanwhile, Strathclyde Police has hand-delivered a message of reassurance to Asian community leaders at mosques and community centres following the security clampdown. Chief Constable Sir Willie Rae said he was issuing the statement because he was concerned that some individuals might seize upon the situation to "abuse members of ethnic communities". Sir Willie said: "Let me be clear about this. We will robustly respond to such incidents reported to the police and we will seek prosecution in all cases where there is sufficient evidence. "Police will continue to link in with community leaders to ensure we are aware of the issues affecting them and can respond to their needs." Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/scotland/4782473.stm

Published: 2006/08/11 21:01:58 GMT

Pakistan's key role in terror arrests

Pakistan's key role in terror arrests

By Zaffar Abbas BBC News, Islamabad Within hours of Thursday's arrests in Britain of those involved in an alleged plot to hijack and blow-up passenger planes over the Atlantic, Pakistan's name had started to be linked to the events. Certainly, it is not the first time a link has been established between religious militancy in a foreign land and the extremist groups operating in Pakistan. But this time around, the way Pakistan's name has figured in the whole episode has been a matter of pride for many in the government. The difference this time is that there has also been a high level of co-operation between the British and Pakistani security and intelligence services, leading to arrests in the two countries. Mixed feelings Senior Pakistani officials say that this co-operation has been in place since last year's suicide attacks in London. This has helped in identifying groups and people who could possibly be using young British Muslims of Pakistani descent to carry out suicide missions. Officials admit that, during the process, the Pakistani intelligence authorities have learnt to withhold information - only leaking details that in their view are necessary or are not going to jeopardise ongoing investigations. Therefore, some observers say, there is a strong possibility that the specific information about the identities of those arrested in Pakistan may have first come out from London or Washington. Pakistan's role has been acknowledged by the British home secretary and other leaders. President Pervez Musharraf received praise from President George W Bush after senior al-Qaeda figures such as Khaled Sheikh Mohammed and Abu Zubaydah were arrested and handed over to the US on previous occasions. But at home, there have been mixed feelings about how President Musharraf and his team have been handling the entire issue of the so-called war on terror. In the absence of specific information, many of the government's actions are seen as attempts to please the West rather than the people at home. The continuing military operation against suspected Taleban fighters and their local supporters in the tribal region near the Afghan border has also affected President Musharraf's popularity in the country. Contentious issues Despite such criticism, President Musharraf seems determined to pursue the policy of curtailing or eliminating Islamic extremism from Pakistan. He says it is not being done at the behest of the US or Britain as, he says, it is in Pakistan's own interest. And in some ways this policy has also become part of his political battle for survival in the wake of growing opposition in the country. With the president's own election, and that of a new parliament, a little over one year away, the opposition parties have started to get their act together. There are strong indications that the liberal and Islamic groups may form a joint front to take on the Pakistani military ruler in the coming year. Analysts say that, in such a situation, President Musharraf may have to look for further support from the West. But in order to do so, he may have to satisfy them that he is doing the best he can to eliminate the remnants of al-Qaeda from the country. Still, questions are being asked about the Pakistani Islamic groups that may be fanning trouble in Britain and elsewhere, and the Islamic seminaries or madrassas that have remained the source of extremism both within and outside Pakistan. The latest episode may have earned President Musharraf some praise, but there are many in the West who still question his sincerity in combating the Taleban, if not al-Qaeda. And this may remain a contentious issue as long as links are found between the Pakistan-based groups and militants operating in other countries, or if the insurgency continues in neighbouring Afghanistan. Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/4784215.stm

Published: 2006/08/11 21:50:50 GMT

Who are the terror plot suspects?

Who are the terror plot suspects?

Details have emerged of the background of some of the British residents named in connection with the alleged terror plot to blow up UK flights. They range in ages between 17 and 36 and are from various addresses in East London, Buckinghamshire and Birmingham. Five live in the Buckinghamshire town of High Wycombe and three of those held have recently converted to Islam. The list includes a security guard, a science student and a university drop-out who works for a music company. Leading human rights lawyer and chair of the Muslim Council of Great Britain's legal affairs committee Khalid Sofi told BBC News the Muslim community had felt "shock and disbelief" at the arrests. Mr Sofi said if the security services had indeed disrupted a genuine terrorist plot this would be very welcome, but it was important any evidence against the suspects was presented to their lawyers as soon as practically possible. "Due to the international dimension to this case, it may take more time to assemble evidence," Mr Sofi said. He is also concerned the enormous media coverage may have created an adverse impression of the suspects. Abdul Waheed, 21, was arrested at a house in Hepplewhite Close, High Wycombe. He had changed his name from Don Stewart-Whyte about six months previously, according to neighbours. Another suspect, Osman Adam Khatib, 19, has lived in Walthamstow all his life. He is described by a friend as having recently become very serious in his adherence to Islam. One of the suspects has recently become a father and worked in security at Heathrow Airport. Pakistani dimension Another is well-known for political activism at his university in East London. He is also a football fan and keen follower of Liverpool. One of the men arrested in east London, the son of an architect, is a talented football player who works for a music company. A British citizen arrested in Pakistan in connection with the alleged terror plot has been named as Rashid Rauf, described by the Foreign Ministry in Islamabad as a key suspect. He is thought to be related to Tayib Rauf, 22, of Birmingham - another of the suspects arrested in Britain. Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk/4783215.stm

Published: 2006/08/11 18:53:07 GMT

Baggage advice for UK passengers The suspected plot was to blow up planes mid-flight

Hand luggage advice Strict security measures have been brought in for air passengers flying from the UK after a suspected plot to blow up planes was prevented. The arrangements, announced by the Department for Transport, apply to all passengers starting their journey at a UK airport, and to those transferring between flights at a British airport. All cabin baggage must be processed as hold baggage and carried in the hold of passenger aircraft departing UK airports. Passengers may take through the airport security search area, in a single, transparent plastic carrier bag, only the following items. Nothing may be carried in pockets: Pocket-size wallets and pocket-size purses plus contents (for example money, credit cards, identity cards, etc - not handbags) Travel documents essential for the journey (for example passports and tickets) Prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight (eg, diabetic kit), except in liquid form unless verified as authentic. Passengers are advised to bring medicines in containers where the seal has not been broken Spectacles and sunglasses, without cases Contact lens holders, without bottles of solution For those travelling with an infant: baby food, milk (the contents of each bottle must be tasted by the accompanying passenger) and sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight (nappies, wipes, creams and nappy disposal bags) Female sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight, if unboxed (eg tampons, pads, towels and wipes) Tissues (unboxed) and/or handkerchiefs Keys (but no electrical key fobs). All passengers must be hand searched, and their footwear and all the items they are carrying must be X-ray screened. Pushchairs and walking aids must be X-ray screened, and only airport-provided wheelchairs may pass through the screening point. Any purchases made in departure lounges will be permitted onboard aircraft, with the exception of those flying to the US. Those travelling to the US will be able to purchase goods for consumption in the airport but no additional items, other than those on the list, can be carried onto the aircraft. In addition to the above, all passengers boarding flights to the US and all the items they are carrying must be subjected to secondary search at the boarding gate. Extra time Any liquids discovered will be removed from the passenger. There are no changes to current hold baggage security measures. Passengers are being asked to allow themselves plenty of extra time and to ensure that other than the few permitted items listed above, all their belongings are placed in their hold baggage and checked in. If passengers have any questions on their travel arrangements or security in place at airports they should contact their airline or carrier. Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk/4778615.stm

Published: 2006/08/12 09:23:01 GMT

Travellers suffer further delays

New security procedures have led to a fourth day of disruption to flights at the UK's busiest airports. Ryanair has cancelled more than 30 flights from Stansted and British Airways cancelled a third of Heathrow flights and more than 20 from Gatwick. BA has criticised operator BAA, which owns all three airports, calling on them to increase resources. But BAA said these were "unprecedented times" and "the safety and security of the public is the utmost priority". Tony Douglas, BAA's chief executive officer for Heathrow, said: "We are all responding to a national security threat. "Given that this is the busiest time of the year, I think we should actually commend the work of the airlines, their staff and the operational staff for doing a really first-class job." CABIN LUGGAGE ALLOWED Pocket-sized wallets/ purses, plus contents Passports/ travel tickets Prescription medicines, not in liquid form unless verified as authentic Essential medical items, eg diabetic kit Glasses & sunglasses, no cases Contact lens holders, no solution Baby food & milk for those with infants - bottle contents must be tasted by accompanying passenger Essential sanitary items for infants Female sanitary items, unboxed Tissues, unboxed, or handkerchiefs Keys, but no electric key fobs About 500 passengers spent the night at Heathrow on Saturday night, according to an airport spokeswoman. BA's chief executive Willie Walsh said it was an extremely difficult situation but they expected more robust contingency plans from BAA. He said: "We need more resources at the airport, we need more people processing passengers at check-in and through the security systems. "We have hundreds of volunteers from across the BA network providing assistance to our customers and I think it's important that everybody operating at the airport operates together to try and make the operation as robust as possible." Passengers are being advised to check with airlines before setting out and be aware of new hand luggage restrictions. Easyjet said it intended to operate as close as possible to its full programme on Sunday. However the airline urged passengers to pack all items into one piece of luggage to minimise check-in delays and possible cancellations. 'Secure' flying Ryanair, meanwhile, called on the government to provide police or Army reserves to help carry out searches. A Department for Transport spokesman said discussions between the government and BAA on dealing with the situation were continuing. He said: "The security measures are making travel more difficult, particularly at a busy time of year, but they are necessary and will continue to keep flights fully secure." All BA services resumed at Manchester and Birmingham airports on Saturday. Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk/4787733.stm

Published: 2006/08/13 12:28:10 GMT

Airline plot links to 7/7 probed

Airline plot links to 7/7 probed

Possible links between the alleged plot to blow up transatlantic jets and the 7 July London bombings are being probed, sources have told the BBC. Security correspondent Gordon Corera said officials also fear unconnected groups could be inspired to carry out their own attack. Meanwhile Home Secretary John Reid said recent counter terrorism arrests did not mean the threat had ended. Police continue to hold 23 people over the alleged liquid bomb plot. Our correspondent said concern over the possibility of an attack meant it could be several weeks before officials felt confident enough to lower the threat alert level from "critical". Mr Reid warned against "complacency or self-congratulation" as the threat posed by extremists was "ongoing", as were efforts to combat it. The Metropolitan Police have warrants to detain 22 of the suspects until next Wednesday. A hearing regarding the detention of one individual was adjourned until Monday and they will remain in custody over the weekend, while another person has been released with no further action. The suspects were held following raids in London, High Wycombe in Bucks, and Birmingham, early on Thursday morning. Those held are suspected of involvement in a plot to blow up airliners travelling from the UK to the US, possibly using liquid explosives hidden in hand luggage. Airport security has been stepped up in both countries, with stringent luggage searches and restrictions on the carrying of liquids on board. This has prompted concerns that valuable items such as laptops and MP3 players, which cannot be carried in hand luggage, may not be covered by insurance companies. A spokeswoman for the Association of British Insurers advises passengers to avoid taking such valuables if possible, but added that insurers are being sympathetic and will treat any claims for damages on a case by case basis. Officials in Pakistan said two British men of Pakistani origin have been arrested in connection with the alleged plot. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry has identified one of them as Rashid Rauf. He thought to be related to Tayib Rauf, 22, who was arrested in Birmingham, and is among 19 of the suspects who have had their assets frozen by the Bank of England. Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk/4787893.stm

Published: 2006/08/13 07:15:32 GMT

Reid tells of 'four terror plots'

Reid tells of 'four terror plots'

Home Secretary John Reid has revealed that "at least four major plots" have been thwarted since the 7 July attacks in London last year. Mr Reid also said the government believes the first al-Qaeda plot in the UK was in 2000 in Birmingham, preceding the war in Iraq and the 9/11 attacks. He told the BBC's News 24 Sunday show that current security measures at UK airports would be "time limited". Police are holding 23 people over an alleged plot to blow up several planes. The home secretary said he thought it was right to keep Britain at the highest possible level of terrorist alert. 'Substantial threat' But he acknowledged that the "terribly inconvenient regime" of restrictions imposed on carrying hand luggage was affecting airlines and the travelling public. He said those limits were being reviewed but any new regime would still need to ensure safety. "We think we have the main suspects in this particular plot. I have to be honest and say on the basis of what we know, there could be others out there ... so the threat of a terrorist attack in the UK is still very substantial," he told the BBC programme. While the police and security forces were doing their job with 100% effort, he said: "We can never guarantee 100% success." "This has been an ongoing threat, it is a chronic one and it is a severe one," he added. Even if the threat level was reduced to "severe", Mr Reid said it was "highly likely there would be another terrorist attempt and that is one thing of which we can be sure." Asked whether the four major plots he revealed could have caused a major loss of life, Mr Reid said: "In my view yes, on the information I have received." The Home Secretary was also asked about a report in Sunday's Observer newspaper which said that "up to two dozen" terror investigations were operating across Britain. Mr Reid said: "I'm not going to confirm an exact number but I wouldn't deny that that would indicate the number of major conspiracies that we are trying to look at. "There would be more which are not at the centre of our considerations and there may be more that we don't know about at all." Responding to questions on whether the government would once again push for a 90-day detention of terror suspects, the home secretary said the current situation did not represent "a good time" to look at such measures. NEW THREAT LEVELS Low - an attack is unlikely Moderate - an attack is possible but not likely Substantial - strong possibility of an attack Severe - an attack is highly likely Critical - an attack is expected imminently But he said it was his own view that 90 days was what police required. He was also asked his opinion on a letter written by a group of British Muslim leaders who believed the UK's foreign policy could be linked to the terror threat. Mr Reid said such a belief was a "dreadful misjudgement that foreign policy of this country should be shaped in part, or in whole, under the threat of terrorism activity". Shadow home secretary David Davis, speaking on Sky News, also criticised the letter. "It (foreign policy) might be part of the catalyst, but to explain this is not to excuse it," he said. "There are plenty of people with legitimate arguments with the government's foreign policy on Iraq, in Afghanistan in Lebanon and the Middle East but none of them take the stance of attempting to murder many thousands of their fellow citizens". Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/uk/4788101.stm

Published: 2006/08/13 11:01:40 GMT

A little bit of TLC

A little bit of TLC

KAY Jackson has been fostering since 1994 and over the years she’s done long term, emergency and respite foster care.For the past 15 months she has looked after two brothers aged 10 and 11 until a permanent family is found for them.“I used to provide respite care for them but their permanent placement broke down,” she explains. “Hopefully a new family will be identified for them in the next few months and, although I’ll miss them, I hope to be their respite carer again.” Although Kay now prefers doing emergency, respite and short-term care, she looked after four brothers and sisters for 10 years, which she found very rewarding, watching them mature towards adulthood. Kay’s own children, now 19, 22 and 30, were quite young when she first became a foster carer. “The house was full of kids and it was a really busy time,” she remembers. The brothers she has just now are close. They’ve been in care since they were two and three and have had a number of placements, so even when everything else changes they know they still have each other.“In Scotland, on average, kids can move three or four times until a permanent home can be found,” Kay says.“It’s best if that home is in the same local area that the kids have been brought up so that they can continue at the same school and keep the same friends but because there’s often a shortage of foster carers, the children sometimes have to move quite a distance away.” Kay, who is a single carer, hopes to continue fostering for as long as she can. “I’ve built up a considerable amount of expertise and knowledge in all sorts of areas, including psychology, the education system, special needs and relationships. Fostering can be a bit lonely at times, apart from visits from the social worker, so I love going on training courses and meeting other carers and people in the same situation as me. “I suppose the downside is that I get very little time off, and so I’m thinking and planning all the time. There are some very damaged children who need a lot of love and I might not see the benefits or rewards for some considerable time. It’s often a case of working for long-term rewards. But it’s a great feeling to think that every day you’re making a difference in someone’s life — giving a structure to the kids’ days and helping them feel safe. If there are challenges and problems along the way, it’s my job to work them out.“The public image of foster carers is that we’re these big-hearted people who like to look after kids. But the number of foster carers is diminishing while there are more kids than ever needing foster homes. My message is that anyone can be considered for fostering so why not find out more about it and see if it’s for you?” AS a single male Colin Brough didn’t think that he could foster and it wasn’t until he saw an ad on the back of a bus stating that Edinburgh social work department was looking for foster carers that he decided to find out more.Colin, a self-employed marketing consultant, has always enjoyed the company of young people and has worked with several youth organisations including the Scouts and Camp America.“My girlfriend and I had never got round to having a family and when we split up I began to wonder if fostering might be something I’d enjoy being committed to,” he explains.At present Colin offers respite care to two brothers aged 14 and 16, and looks after them every third weekend. The boys’ mother isn’t well at the moment so these weekends give them a change of scene as well as providing a break for her. “Often the boys I look after haven’t had a male role model in their lives so I can help give them some structure in that way. I’m lucky to live near the Pentlands so when the boys are here I take them horse riding, quad biking and clay pigeon shooting, although sometimes they’re happy just to settle down with a pizza and a video.“I find every third weekend is the ideal arrangement as this gives me the chance to concentrate on my work and have my own social life in between visits, because obviously I commit myself totally to doing what the boys want to do when they’re here. They get on pretty well although, like most brothers, they have the odd disagreement! We don’t really talk about their home situation when they’re having a break from that, although if one of them did raise the subject I’d be happy to be their sounding board,” says Colin.“I would encourage anyone to think about fostering. I was surprised to discover that as a single male I am still eligible and I think that’s probably quite a common misconception. Obviously there are certain sensible guidelines for a single male carer — for example for my own protection I would always foster at least two boys rather than one on one.“I’d warn anyone thinking about fostering that the vetting and training process does take quite a long time because the children’s safety has to be the main priority, but hang in there as the benefits are well worth the wait. I get a great buzz out of seeing the boys relaxing and having a laugh — I really look forward to those weekends!” IF you hear a lot of giggling coming from a house in Glasgow, it could well be Jeanette Hall’s home. A foster carer for over 13 years, she largely takes emergency placements which means that the children can arrive either day or night.At the moment she is looking after a five-year-old boy, who came to her in September, and a brother and sister, five and eight, who arrived in February. Then there are her own three children who are all still at home — 22-year-old Matthew, Stephanie, 18, and Lewis who’s 10.Jeanette had always felt that fostering was something that she’d like to do, so she decided to find out more.“My parents died young and so my three brothers, my sister and I were all brought up by our grandparents. I’ve always felt how lucky we were and I thought fostering would be a way to help other children in difficult situations,” she explains.“I decided on emergency care because when I started out my own kids were quite young so it would have been hard to have other children on a long-term basis. There are all sorts of reasons why a child may need an emergency placement — anything from being left alone at night, to a parent being under the influence of drugs or alcohol or a disturbance in the house.“It’s definitely a full-time job with lots of washing and cooking, although I do send the ironing away — that’s my one luxury! The children help in small ways like making their own beds. Stephanie is really good too and helps with the kids. She’s doing an HNC in childcare at college two days a week and in a nursery for two days. My husband, who is also a full-time carer — working with young men with mental health problems — is very supportive too,” says Jeanette. “Lewis hasn’t known anything other than having foster children here because he’s grown up with them. Now he’s 10 though he tends to do his own thing.“Every child I have is an individual and of course there are challenges along the way but it’s great when you see a child going back to his or her parents. I take each week as it comes — I could see children go one day and then have two more arrive the very next night.“The worst thing is seeing kids going back and forwards like yoyos because a placement hasn’t worked out or things haven’t come together in the family.“There are no special qualifications for fostering — if you like kids and you’ve got time for them you should think about fostering,” Jeanette explains.“A lot of kids need a bit of TLC and to know that there’s someone there for them. Sometimes it can take a week or a fortnight before they realise that there’s always going to be tea on the table for them in the evening or that someone will help them with their homework and sign their book — little things that our own children take for granted.“I’d stress that anyone can foster and that it doesn’t have to be a full-time commitment — respite, weekend and short-term foster carers are all desperately needed right now too.” Fostering — the factsWhat is fostering?It is a way of offering children a home while their own parents are unable to look after them. This is usually a temporary arrangement, and many fostered children return to their own families. Children who cannot return home, but still want to stay in touch with their families, often live with a long-term foster carer. The most common types of fostering:Emergency fostering provides children with a place to go immediately.Short break/respite fostering allows carers to look after a child maybe one weekend a month. It helps keep families together by giving a much needed breathing space.Short-term fostering allows carers to look after a child for a few weeks or months.Long-term fostering is where a child cannot go home, but where the relationship between the young person and the birth family is maintained.Why do children need fostering?Some children may have been abused or neglected. Social workers work with families to help them sort out problems and make the home a safe place for a child — with the aim of reuniting children and parents. What is the difference between fostering and adoption?Fostering provides children with a home while they cannot live with their own families for a period of time.Adoption is where a new family is provided for children who can no longer live with, or ever return to live with, their own family.What is involved in becoming a foster carer?All prospective foster carers go through an assessment process, which takes around six to nine months. During this time they receive training and work with a social worker to ensure that fostering is the right decision for them and their family.Do foster carers get paid? All carers receive an allowance, which should cover the cost of looking after a foster child, and around half get a fee for their time, skills and experience. Talk to your fostering social worker about this when you begin the assessment process.Who can foster and is anyone barred?You can be single or married. You can have a low or high income. You can own your own home or rent. However, the application process will include police checks to exclude people who would not be considered suitable to be carers.How do I become a foster carer?Contact your local social work department or fostering provider. Many fostering services give applicants the chance to meet existing foster carers before beginning the approval process. Alternatively for more information about fostering visit

www.fostering.net According to the most recent statistics for Scotland: 5028 children are looked after away from home Over two-thirds of these children are living with foster carers There are approximately 2200 foster families The Fostering Network estimates there is a shortage of at least 1700 foster families.