The latest children in foster care statistics reveal that between 2023 and 2024, 9,531 children were looked after away from home by their local authority in Scotland.
Despite this number having decreased by 2% from the previous year, around 3,000 children still enter care in Scotland each year. The problem is that there has been a 17% drop in foster carers over the past five years, which means there are fewer foster families available to care for these children.
What does this mean for the most vulnerable young people in society, and what can you do to help? From why children are in foster care to how the foster carer shortage impacts them, join us to find out how you can make a life-changing difference to young people in Scotland.
Why are children in foster care?
There are a few reasons why a child might need foster care. Here are the most common:
- Abuse: They’ve experienced physical, emotional or sexual abuse, and it’s unsafe for them to live at home.
- Neglect: They’ve had their physical, emotional, educational or medical needs neglected, and need a foster family who can meet their needs.
- Complex needs: They have complex medical needs or disabilities, which their family are struggling to manage.
- Seeking asylum: They’re an unaccompanied asylum-seeking child who has had no choice but to flee their home country to find safety alone in the UK.
- Family dysfunction: They’ve witnessed domestic violence, or there’s conflict between them and a parent or sibling at home.
- Parental illness: Their parent or caregiver might be receiving treatment in a hospital, and they have no family to stay with.
- Parent or guardian death: They may have lost their parent or guardian, and there’s no one suitable to care for them.
- Family acute stress: Their family could be experiencing homelessness or financial hardship.
How long do children stay in foster care?
This depends on why a child is in foster care in the first place. For example, if their parent or caregiver is receiving treatment in a hospital, they may only need foster care for a few days or weeks. But if returning home would put them at risk, they could stay in foster care until they turn 18, or longer through a continuing care agreement.
That’s why here at FCA Scotland, we offer several types of fostering:
- Interim fostering: From a few nights to two years while a long-term plan is made for a child’s care, such as returning to their family, adoption, or a long-term foster home.
- Long-term fostering: From two years up until a child turns 18. Long-term foster care is usually chosen for children when returning home, or adoption isn’t suitable.
- Emergency foster care: From a few hours up to a couple of weeks while their circumstances are assessed or extended family members are contacted.
- Short break fostering: From a weekend to a couple of weeks. This type of foster care supports other foster parents, allowing them to rest and recharge while their foster child is cared for by another foster family.
We also provide types of fostering for children with specific needs, such as specialist fostering for children with disabilities and those seeking asylum. A foster parent could look after these children on a short-term or long-term basis, depending on their care plan.
How does the shortage of foster carers impact children?
Moving into care can be a scary and confusing time for children and young people; they have to leave everything behind and face an uncertain future. But when there aren’t enough foster families to provide the stability and safety of a loving home, these children face additional challenges:
- They may have no choice but to move further away from the only community they’ve ever known and the people they love because there are no foster families available in their area.
- They could experience separation from their siblings, which can have a profound impact on their sense of identity and leave them feeling incredibly lonely.
- They might have to live in a home that isn’t quite the right fit, which means they may have to move again when a more suitable home becomes available.
- If they have to move far away from home and experience frequent moves, it could disrupt their education, ability to form friendships, and affect their sense of stability, belonging, and safety.
- If the local authority can’t find a suitable home for a child within their own or a fostering agency’s pool of foster parents, they may decide to move them into residential care.
How can you help vulnerable children?
The best way you can help vulnerable children and young people who need a loving home is by becoming a foster carer. But what does it actually involve?
The role of a foster carer
Foster carers become a parental figure in children’s lives, opening their homes, welcoming them as part of the family, and taking care of them when their own families can’t.
Although it can be challenging, our foster carers tell us that it’s one of the most rewarding things they’ve ever done.
Della and Sandy have been fostering in Fife with us for over 10 years, they said, “We wish we’d done it years ago. As soon as they come through the door, they’re part of the family and treated like that. Our home is their home.” Read their fostering story.
Fostering is a varied role. On one day, you might be advocating for a child’s health and educational needs, whereas on another day, you could be helping them create memories by taking them on a day out with your family. But whatever each day brings, you’ll be by their side, changing their life for the better.
Are foster carers paid?
Yes, foster carers receive an allowance to cover the costs of caring for a child. But at FCA Scotland, our foster payments also reward you for your commitment to providing children with a happy home.
In fact, our fostering allowances are far above those recommended by The Fostering Network. On average, our foster carers receive £28,540 per year, per child in their care, which is typically tax-free.
You’ll also have access to additional perks, including:
- £250 bonus payment every summer and winter.
- Up to 14 nights paid short break care.
- Special gifts or experiences for each fostering milestone you reach.
- Annual events to celebrate the role you play in changing young lives.
- An additional appreciation bonus each year, which rises in line with your length of service with us.
- Access to our foster parent rewards platform, saving you money on things like everyday expenses, family fun, and holidays.
Do you need experience to foster?
No, you don’t need any experience to become a foster carer. All you need is a compassionate heart and a desire to truly make a difference. You’ll also need to meet the initial requirements:
- You must be 21 or over.
- You must have a spare bedroom for a young person to make their own.
- You must have the legal right to work in the UK.
When you join FCA Scotland, you’ll receive extensive training, and you’ll have the backing of our incredible team, which includes social workers, education experts, therapists and more.
We’ll be on your fostering journey with you, offering our advice, guidance, and full support to help you grow both personally and professionally.
“The nicest part of fostering is knowing that you’ve grown as a person with these children too, and knowing you are making the children feel safe and well connected.”
“I like FCA Scotland’s Team Parenting approach – it’s wraparound support for you and the child, so you can care for them in the best way possible. It’s the reason they stood out for us.” Shannon, a FCA Scotland foster carer from West Lothian. Read her fostering story.
Ready to start your journey?
If you want to help us close the gap between the number of children in foster care and foster families available to care for them, start your fostering journey today.
Call us on 0141 646 4805 or submit an enquiry form. Our friendly and experienced team are ready to answer your questions and help you take your first steps into this exciting and rewarding new chapter.
