Fostering in Scotland

Our foster carers transform lives. These wonderful people – people just like you – give children the love, care and stability they desperately need to grow up safe and happy. Could you foster? We support foster families throughout Central Scotland, Scottish Borders, and the Highlands.

Could you foster?

Fostering can be extremely rewarding. It's life-changing and life-enhancing. Fostering is changing a child’s life for the better.

Action for Children Fostering welcomes foster carers from all walks of life. We value the amazing work you do and we are here for you 24/7 year-round. We will give you all the support, training and guidance you will need to become a great foster carer.

Service details

Service Name:
Fostering in Scotland
Service Type: Fostering
Phone: 0141 222 1770
Email: [email protected]

Statement of purpose

View our current service statement of purpose.

Types of fostering

Long-term fostering

Also know as "long term home", this could last for many years and into adulthood.

Action for Children Fostering will be with you all the way, supporting you emotionally, financially, and with regular training. We offer 24/7, year-round support with a dedicated, qualified social worker.

Many of our foster carers give children a long term home until they’re ready to live on their own.

Some young people stay with their foster family into adulthood, whether they study or work. This is what we call “staying put”. We want children to feel part of a family.

Planned breaks

Planned breaks carers play a vital role in supporting full-time foster carers and young people.

Providing cover during holidays and weekends gives full-time carers the chance to recharge their batteries and enables children to have new experiences. You will get to know different young people, so if you're good at building relationships, this could be for you! It would involve you looking after a child or young person for a few days, usually on a regular basis.

It’s also a great way for people considering fostering to get hands-on experience before committing fully.

You would still be provided with the same high level of support, training, and resources as all our other foster carers.

Continuing care

Siblings

Where possible we try to keep brothers and sisters together.

Sibling relationships, like all relationships, are complex - especially when there has been a difficult history. But it’s usually in the best interests of the child to stay with their siblings.

Many of our carers that foster siblings comment on how rewarding it is.

There’s nothing better than knowing you are keeping siblings together. Giving them the opportunity to grow up together and have shared experiences. Helping them have that shared history.