#InCare | WATCH: Fewer Highland kids getting taken into care
MFR News gets exclusive access to North kids care system.
Last updated 2nd Feb 2018
Highland Council's care system is dealing with more kids than ever before, but the authority's taking fewer children into care.
Bill Alexander is in-charge of social care, and the director told MFR News: "If children come into care, we don't accept that their family situation can't be resolved.
"We work with their families to try and deal with the issues, and try and support those children back home again, and for many children that works.
"We haven't reduced our funding for looked after children - we have very significant funding for them.
"What we have been very successful at is early intervention to support families so children don't need to become looked after.
"It can cost £100,000 to £200,000, or even more, to support a looked after child every year.
"If we can reduce the number of looked after children by supporting families better, then it's not only the right thing to do, it's also cost-effective.
All week MFR News has had exclusive access to the kids care system in the North, and we've been hearing young people's stories of tragedy, teen troubles, determination, and inspiration.
Their experiences will be used to help improve the system for future generations.
CLICK HERE for Jemma's story...
CLICK HERE for Bev's story...
CLICK HERE for Shaune's story...
CLICK HERE for Rebecca's story...
Across Moray and the Highlands there are more than 600-children and young people who are being looked after in one way or another, and in Highland alone more than half of them are living away from their biological families.
Throughout this week the young people who have participated in our special programming have been receiving well wishes on social media for their bravery in coming forward and sharing their experiences.
BELOW: Moray MSP Richard Lochhead was one of those people posting messages of support...
Tom Boyd from the charity Who Cares? Scotland told MFR News:
"Many think care leavers get the same chances as all other young people to get a job, go to college, work towards their dreams.
"The truth is, the opportunities may be there, but young people can’t always sustain them as they are still dealing with a lot of the emotional impact of being brought up in care.
"They need continued support to take advantage of these opportunities.
"Young people in care are just like all other young people – except they also need to deal with being separated from their parents, being judged for living in a children’s home and being viewed as ‘different’ because their families can’t look after them."
LISTEN: Barnado's Scotland social worker James Moore gives our reporter Bryan Rutherford a candid interview, talking about the challenges of his job...