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Support for
foster carers

Connecting families to the support they need

When you join Fosterplus Scotland, from the very first step of your fostering journey, you will be connected to a network of ongoing support that will be by your side every step of the way. We’re here for you and your whole family, making sure you have the help you need, whenever you need it.

We’re proud to be a fostering agency you can count on, and will always ensure that, as a foster carer, you’ll continuously feel supported, confident, and empowered in your vital role of caring for vulnerable children.

A dedicated social worker and local team

You’ll be provided your own social worker, who’ll get to know you and your family, and be able provide full guidance through visits and over the phone, as well as connecting you to all our services and support. They’re all fully qualified and highly experienced in fostering, so whenever you need help or advice, they’ll always be there to support you. Alongside this, our friendly, local team are always on hand to offer assistance or if you need to pop in to chat to someone.

Regular support groups

We hold a variety of ongoing support groups, which bring our foster parents together locally; providing the opportunity for them to share their experiences and learn from each other. We often invite external speakers along, covering topics we feel our foster parents may benefit from. Support groups are a great way to feel fully supported, and our foster families develop wonderful networks and friendships that last throughout their life.

Our foster carer support package

Alongside outstanding training opportunities and generous pay and benefits, our foster family support package includes:

Dedicated social worker

From day one, you’ll have a dedicated social worker who’ll take the time to really get to know you and your family, ensuring that every family member feels supported, understood and valued. Whether through visits, phone calls, or connecting you with the right support, they’ll guide you through every stage of your fostering journey.

Our supervising social workers are highly experienced, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to their role. So whether you need advice, guidance, or just a little reassurance, you can count on them to provide the support you need. You’ll also be connected with our local team, who are always on hand to offer support or simply a listening ear.

Local support groups

Sometimes, the best support comes from people who truly understand your experiences – those on the same journey who face similar challenges, but also those you can share the rewards of fostering with. That’s why we organise local support groups to bring foster carers from the same area together. These support groups provide a platform to learn from one another, share experiences, and build lifelong friendships with people who ‘get it’.

Another great benefit of our support groups is the opportunity to hear from external speakers, who we frequently invite to our groups to share their insights. They’ll help you refine your skills and become more confident in your role as a foster carer.

Unrivalled matching

Our experience has taught us that the key to successful fostering is finding the right match between a child and a foster family. Our foster care matching process is incredibly thorough, combining innovative practices with extensive decision-making tools to ensure placements are positive and long-lasting.

Our dedicated referrals team work closely with our foster carers to ensure matches are the best fit for both children and their foster families. As a result, we have built and maintained an outstanding reputation for quality matching, with frequent placement opportunities – and only 3% of our families waiting to welcome a child.

Year-round activities and events

When you foster with us at Fosterplus Scotland, we make sure you feel confident in your role – not only by providing the guidance and training you need but also by connecting you with foster families to enhance support and enrich your fostering journey.

From coffee mornings and carer lunches to day trips, charity events and focus groups with guest speakers, you’ll truly feel like part of our community – a community that you can rely on, lean on, and turn to whenever you need support.

Support at your fingertips

Fostering is a 24/7 role, so you need to feel assured that you’ll receive support no matter the time of day. That’s why, when you foster with us, you can access support day and night through our out-of-hours helpline. So, whether you need guidance from a social worker or manager during the working day, at 2 am or at weekends, you can rest assured that you’ll get it. You’ll also have access to our online portal, a library of valuable resources, advice, and guidance for foster carers, all available at your fingertips.  

Access to specialist support

One huge benefit of fostering with Fosterplus Scotland is the expert support available to all our foster families. Whether the child in your care needs additional support from an education advisor or a psychotherapist, we ensure their whole well-being is fully cared for.

We have won awards for the quality of our support, which is tailored to meet the needs of your whole family. This helps build strong and stable foster families, which is vital for improving the outcomes of vulnerable young people.

Open and transparent management

We believe foster carers should have a real voice in the decisions that shape fostering. That’s why we listen, involve you in decision-making, and recognise the vital role you play in supporting young people. Our experienced and approachable management team always welcome ideas and feedback. Our doors are always open—so if you ever need a chat, we’re here to listen.

Exclusive rewards and benefits

As soon as you become a foster carer, you can take advantage of our rewards platform, where you can receive discounts on days out, holidays, restaurants, and more. Alongside our competitive allowances, pay increases, and bonus schemes, these rewards make sure you get the best financial support as a foster carer to help you enrich the lives of the children you care for.

We believe in celebrating our foster carers and the incredible work you do. That’s why we have a strong recognition programme, including a generous Refer a Friend scheme, regular award ceremonies, special appreciation events, and certificates to honour your dedication.

Free membership to FosterTalk

When you foster with us, you’ll also receive free membership to FosterTalk, a national organisation that supports foster carers and their families. FosterTalk offers valuable resources that complement the support you’ll receive from Fosterplus Scotland. So, whether you need financial guidance or legal and professional advice, their helplines are available to help you throughout your fostering journey.

Helping you feel confident and connected

At Fosterplus Scotland, we truly value our foster carers and the incredible work you do to transform young lives. We want fostering to be a rewarding experience, and we’re here to make that happen by supporting you every step of the way.

You’ll always feel connected to support because we’ll work alongside you to provide children with the best possible care and create meaningful, positive change in their lives. With a strong support network, you’ll feel confident, empowered, and fully equipped to make a lasting difference.

In-depth, tailored training

We provide a wide range of training opportunities, allowing you to build a programme that suits your interests, and supports you throughout your fostering journey.

Our training is flexible and accessible, offering a mix of online e-learning, virtual sessions, in-person courses at our local offices, as well as evening courses. Whether you’re new to fostering, transferring to us, or looking to specialise in certain areas, our inclusive training ensures you can continue to grow and develop your skills. We’re here to help you shape your fostering career in the way that works for you.

Foster parent training

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Why choose us?

Everything we do is geared towards this idea of continuity, and it’s something that our foster parents experience too – with stable teams and consistent support and training.

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Fostering allowances

You’ll benefit from a generous fostering payment for when a child is in your care, together with other benefits and rewards. Find out more about fostering pay and rewards.

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Successful matching

We have over 25 years of experience, expertly matching children with the right families to ensure the very best fostering experience for all.

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Speak to our team

Whether you’re ready to apply or just want to find out more, get in touch with us today

Enquiry

You are required to have a spare bedroom that’s always available to a foster child. The spare room cannot be shared, and must be big enough to fit a single bed, a wardrobe and a chest of drawers.

Do you have a spare room?*

To be approved as a foster carer in the UK, you must be a British citizen or have the legal right to remain in the UK without restrictions that would prevent fostering.

Which of the following applies to you?*

How can we help you?*

The following questions are intended to help us understand your experience with children. Please note that prior experience is not required to become a foster carer, as full training will be provided.

Have you had children of your own?*

Do you have professional experience of working with children?*

Do you have professional experience of working with children?

Have you had any prior experience of fostering, such as being a foster parent or growing up in a fostering family?*

Have you ever adopted a child?*

Are you happy to receive regular fostering news from us?*

Yes

No

First Name*

Last Name*

Phone Number*

Email Address*

Postcode*