Foster Care Fortnight 2026 has officially begun and will run until Sunday 24th May. Led by The Fostering Network, this annual campaign celebrates the vital role of fostering across the UK. This year’s theme – ‘This is Fostering’ – highlights the many real and diverse stories that make up the fostering community.
With a national shortage of foster carers, we hope this campaign encourages more people across Scotland to consider whether fostering could be right for them. There is a particular need for carers who can support older children and teenagers and siblings who need to stay together in foster homes.
And just as importantly, Foster Care Fortnight is a chance to recognise the incredible role carers play in supporting children and young people, while also encouraging others to consider whether they could offer a safe and caring home.
Fostering can be life-changing – for the children who need care, and for the carers who provide it. It’s about building relationships, creating stability, and helping young people feel valued and supported.
This is Fostering: real stories, real lives
Fostering is not one single experience – it’s many. The theme ‘This is Fostering’ reflects the diversity of journeys across the fostering community, and the different ways carers make a meaningful difference in children’s lives.
Some carers offer short-term support during times of change, while others provide long-term homes. Some care for sibling groups, while others support young people as they navigate adolescence and lives post 18. Every experience is unique, and every role matters.
Here at FCA Scotland, we are dedicated to #KeepThePromise, in line with Scotland’s commitment to ensuring children and young people grow up loved, safe and respected.
We see every day the difference that compassionate, committed carers can make. Children who come into care may have experienced uncertainty or trauma, and what they need most is stability, understanding, and a place where they feel they belong.
Fostering is about creating that sense of safety and connection – offering consistent care, building trust over time, and helping young people move forward with confidence.
Real stories, shared through our community
One of the ways we are celebrating Foster Care Fortnight this year is by sharing real voices and experiences from across our fostering community.
Through our “Let’s Talk About Fostering” podcast, we bring together carers and professionals to talk openly about what fostering is really like. These are honest, human stories that explore both the rewards and the challenges, helping to build a clearer understanding of fostering today.
By sharing these experiences, we hope to show that fostering is not about being perfect – it’s about being present, supported, and willing to make a difference.
More stories from our community of foster carers…
