A Brief Introduction to Foster Carers in Scotland

According to the Children's Social Work Statistics Scotland: 2021/22, there were close to 5,600 Scottish children being looked after by the Local Authority at that time. Almost three quarters of those children (4,155) were staying with the 3,415 registered foster families, as per the same report. While we do see a slight boost in the number of foster homes as compared to the previous year, evidently, it’s still not enough.

To put it simply, there just aren’t enough foster carers available in Scotland to take care of all the children in need of it. Anyone who feels like they can help fill the gap by should consider becoming a foster care provider themselves. The following information will help interested individuals develop a better understanding of the foster care system in Scotland.

Who is a Foster Carer?

A foster carer is a trained and registered care provider for foster children. They take on the role of a temporary guardian for children who can’t live with their parent(s)/previous guardian(s) at that time for one or more reasons. Depending on the circumstances and the reason(s) why a child is removed, their status as a foster child could be short-term, long-term, or permanent (until adulthood).

Who Can Become a Foster Carer?

Qualification alone does not guarantee acceptance and there will be further assessments to deduce an applicant’s suitability to become a foster care provider. Nevertheless, anyone who meets the minimum qualifications can apply at a nearby independent fostering agency (IFA). These minimum requirements may vary a bit depending on the agency, but applicants should at least be able to meet the following qualification terms.

• All applicants must either be a citizen or a permanent resident of the United Kingdom.
• They must be no younger than 18+, but preferably older than 21.
• All applicants are expected to have an extra room in their home that’s both safe and fit for a child to live in.
• No applicant will be accepted if they have a serious criminal record involving violent and/or sexual crimes.
• Applicants with old, petty criminal records might be accepted, if their crimes did not involve sexual crimes.

If he/she is accepted, the applicant will be trained adequately by the agency before any child is assigned under their care. You can get started with the application process and find more info regarding the Scottish foster care system at fcascotland.co.uk.

Do Foster Carers Get Paid?

Yes, all fostering agencies in Scotland and the UK in general pay allowances. These allowances are sufficient to cover all expenses associated with caring for the children in their care. Every registered foster carer is legally obliged to prioritise their fostering responsibilities above all other professional responsibilities, if applicable. Therefore, the allowance is calculated in such a way that they are generally enough for the foster carer to take care of their own needs as well.

The allowance amount will vary depending on the location, the charge, and the agency you sign up with, so that’s something to consider as well. However, it’s highly advised that applicants do not consider fostering as a career option. It’s not as much about building a career as it is about truly caring for children without a proper guardian at home.