Fostering

Fostering is looking after someone's child in your own home at a time when his or her family are unable to do so.

This may be due to a number of reasons, such as:

• family illness
• relationship difficulties
• family breakdown
• a situation where the child or young person's safety is threatened

Wherever possible, brothers and sisters are looked after in the same foster home. As they are based in the community, foster carers are able to maintain links with:

• schools
• clubs
• existing doctor and dentist

How long does foster care last?

Foster care can last for days, months, or in some cases for years. Most children return home to their families, but some children may need to be fostered for longer and may eventually be adopted.

Who is the service for?

Any child of any family may need to use foster care. Every child and their family are unique, no two family's circumstances will be the same. It is not just a service for those experiencing:

• poverty
• poor housing
• family breakdown
• abusive situations

Find out more

If you would like more information about fostering, contact our family placement team.

You can also access detailed advice on the Scottish Government’s new Become a Foster Carer online resource. This includes information about what’s involved in being a foster carer and how to get started, as well as real life stories from existing carers that highlight the difference they’ve made to the lives of children and young people. Links to further resources, including local authority contacts and guidance on the application and approval process, are also available.