FCA Scotland
Become a foster carer with FCA Scotland. We provide a placement which suits you and we also provide a generous allowance and specialist training to help prepare you for your fostering journey.
Terms and Conditions
By accessing this website you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions. Polaris may modify or revise these terms and conditions at any time by updating this page. You will be bound by any such modifications or revisions from the time that they are made.
Cookie Policy
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Regions
Find your local team. We’re always here to help get you on the right track in your journey. Find a local team and get in touch today.
Foster Care Associates West Central Scotland
Looking to foster in West Central Scotland? Foster Care Associates (FCA) Scotland are one of the leading foster care companies in Scotland. Get in touch today for more information.
Foster Care Associates Eastern Scotland
Looking to foster in Eastern Scotland? Foster Care Associates (FCA) Scotland are one of the leading foster care companies in Scotland. Get in touch today for more information.
Scotland team
Enquiry
Make an enquiry today, whether you’re ready to start your journey or just want to chat to an expert, we’re here to talk.
Thank you
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Locations We Cover
Learn about all the different locations in which Fostering People cover.
Fostering in Fife
Looking to foster in Fife? Make a difference to a child's life and become a foster parent. Excellent allowance, training and support provided.
Fostering in Glasgow
Looking to foster in Glasgow? Make a difference to a child's life and become a foster parent. Excellent allowance, training and support provided.
Fostering in Aberdeen
Looking to foster in Aberdeen? Make a difference to a child's life and become a foster parent. Excellent allowance, training and support provided.
Fostering in Rosyth
Looking to foster in Rosyth? Make a difference to a child's life and become a foster parent. Excellent allowance, training and support provided.
Fostering in Edinburgh
Looking to foster in Edinburgh? Make a difference to a child's life and become a foster parent. Excellent allowance, training and support provided.
Fostering in Prestwick
Looking to foster in Prestwick? Make a difference to a child's life and become a foster parent. Excellent allowance, training and support provided.
About us
Foster Care Associates (FCA) Scotland took on its first foster child in 2002. Today, we’re supporting over 100 children and young people in communities across the country. With almost 20 years’ experience, we’re an established fostering specialist with offices in Aberdeen, Glasgow, Prestwick and Rosyth.
Why Choose Us?
Fostering is a journey, and we make sure you don’t take it alone. We’re there for you every step of the way, responding to your needs with support, training and all the resources you’d expect from a large and long-established foster care specialist.
Support for foster carers
Supporting you Foster care isn’t the same everywhere. We wouldn’t expect anyone to foster without the right support, so at FCA Scotland, we provide the very best.
Education support
Children's participation
Team Parenting®
When you foster with FCA Scotland, you’ll be part of our supportive community. Everyone working together to deliver the very best outcomes for our children and young people. You’re part of a team of professionals who are all devoted to helping children in care have the healthiest and brightest future.
Support for children in foster care
Our support network for children and young people includes foster carers and our team of social workers and therapists. Beyond that there’s plenty more in place as we are an organisation that believes in involving everyone.
Foster Care Training
Like any career, fostering is a journey of learning. And just as there are different types of fostering, there are also different pathways you can take, depending on your interests. For example, specialising in asylum seeking children.
Transferring Fostering Agencies
Thinking of transferring to another agency?At FCA Scotland we understand that it isn’t a decision to be taken lightly. We’ll support you every step of the way and do all we can to make the process of joining us as simple as possible.
Fostering Allowances
At Foster Care Associates Scotland we believe you deserve to be rewarded for your hard work.vThat’s why we offer all our foster carers a generous package of financial support. Our fostering allowances and payments take into account the demands of fostering and the importance of your role in a child or young person’s life.
Financial calculator
Latest News, Blogs & Fostering Stories
Discover our latest news, blogs and stories from some of our foster families and children.
News Stories
Fostering Assessments with FCA Scotland during social distancing
Information around our amended recruitment and assessment processes.
FCA Scotland attend the More Than My Trauma Conference
As part of our staff development our therapist recently attended the More Than My Trauma Conference
Our Response to COVID-19
We are continuing to recruit foster carers, as the needs of children and young people remains our priority.
#Keepingthepromise
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.
1000 Voices Raven Creators
1000 Voices makes sure young people's views and opinions are captured through fun activities which is then used to shape how care in Scotland will look in the future.
Self-Care September: Supporting Mental Health and Wellbeing
Over the last few weeks, our team have been delivering a number of relaxation techniques virtually to our young people to support their emotional development and mental resilience.
Events
Events in the Midlands
2nd November 2021 Virtual Fostering Information Evening
Join this virtual information evening and find out more about the rewarding role of a foster carer with FCA Scotland.
Event 2
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Event 3
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Blogs
Find out more about FCA Scotland and fostering by reading our blog posts.
Summer fun with young people
If you’re stuck for ideas we’ve put together a list of activities that you could do with children and young people.
Getting back in to the school routine
Some practical and useful hints and tips for getting back in to the school routine after the holidays.
How to prepare your home for a foster child
Where you can take time to prepare your home for the arrival of your foster child to make it a welcoming and safe setting.
How Teddy Bears can help with Attachment
We offer therapeutic training to all our foster carers which is training courses that are specifically designed to develop your therapeutic knowledge and skills.
Importance of keeping siblings together
Going into foster care can be hard to adjust to. But imagine having to go it alone without your brothers and sisters around you.
Can I foster if I have a pet?
Of course, you can. Prior to becoming a foster carer, a full vet check is done to make sure it is safe to place a young person in your household with that pet.
Is fostering right for you?
Mary and her husband have been fostering with us for over 12 years. Here they share their story and what they think it takes to become a good foster carer.
Training at FCA Scotland
At FCA Scotland we believe training and progression is a vital part of every foster carer’s journey.
Meet Kathryn, our Referrals Officer at FCA Scotland
Our Referrals Officer Kathryn shares an insight into her role at FCA Scotland and how the matching process works for approved foster carers.
Foster Care Fortnight 2021 #WhyWeCare
During Foster Care Fortnight 2021, our staff and foster carers have been sharing their reasons #WhyWeCare to showcase how foster care can transform the lives of children and young people.
#WithYou…help keep siblings together
Since 2018, a growing number of siblings have come into foster care, and for children whose lives are turned upside down, staying with their brother or sister can be vital.
Fostering Stories
Read stories about our foster carers to give you an insight on what it is like to be a foster carer.
Foster carer gave a Vietnamese boy a new life in Glasgow
Meet our foster carer who gave a Vietnamese boy a new life in Glasgow
Caring for children is just so rewarding
Jim started fostering with FCA Scotland with his wife Debbie in 2002
A day in the life of a foster carer…
Being a foster carer means no two days are the same
A day in the life of a foster carers Helen and Chris
Helen and Chris tell us what it's like to foster
Jan's story
Watching young people achieve things that others take for granted makes this whole process worthwhile.
Shagufta's fostering story
Foster carer Shagufta, 53, based in Edinburgh, shares her fostering journey over the past eight years.
Foster children have brought more life to my home
One of our foster carers shares with us her fostering experience with FCA Scotland.
“It has its ups and downs but the whole fostering experience has been life changing”
After four years fostering, Gail Martin, a foster carer at FCA Scotland sits down to share her experience and advice over the years.
“It is not a job or career; it is a way of life. It is not for everybody but if you dip your toes in and you like it, run with it”
Foster carers, Elaine and Iain share their fostering journey over the past 14 years.
"We’ve just celebrated 10 years with FCA Scotland and we’ve loved every single moment."
We sit down with foster carer couple Anne and Chris to find out more about their story, including how many children they’ve fostered and their favourite memory in the last 10 years of fostering with FCA Scotland.
"We both made the decision to take up fostering, and we haven't looked back since!”
Foster Carers Alana, 37, and Sarah, 36, based in Glasgow, share their inspiring foster story so far.
About fostering
Fostering gives children and young people a stable and caring family home and environment when they are not able to live with their birth families anymore. Find
Fostering FAQs
Check out our FAQ section to answer any questions you may have about fostering.
Why foster?
Becoming a foster carer is an amazing opportunity to give a child or young person the new start they need. It takes a huge amount of bravery to start your fostering journey, but it really is one of the most rewarding things you can do.
Who can foster?
Here at FCA Scotland we work really closely with you throughout the whole of the fostering application process, so we really get to know you as a person.
LGBTQI Fostering
We have many children and young people being supported by LGBTQI families in the FCA Scotland network. They’re doing an excellent job, and that’s why we’re keen to recruit more people from the LGBTQI community.
Race and religion in fostering
Living with families who share their cultural experiences gives children a sense of familiarity and security. It’s also easier if the foster carers understand any specific dietary needs or can share their participation in religious festivals or ceremonies.
Age and fostering
Disability and fostering
We’re an inclusive, equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from everyone, provided they’re aged over 21, have a right to live and work in the UK and want to help a vulnerable child fulfil their potential.
Single foster carers
Many single parents are put off fostering as they think that they will be overlooked. But, single parents can foster and we welcome single foster parents.
Do I need a spare room to foster?
A spare bedroom is needed to foster a child. Find out more about why a spare room is required and the importance of a foster care bedroom.
Types of fostering
Discover all the types of fostering that we cover at FCA Scotland. We have a range of types of foster care for people looking to start fostering children.
Long term fostering
Find out more about long term fostering and the benefits that come with long term foster care. At FCA Scotland, we work with children in long term placements.
Short break fostering
Continuing care
Continuing care was introduced into Scotland as part of the Children’s and Young People’s Act 2014, and at FCA Scotland we’re able to offer and support this service, helping many young people confidently start the next stage and chapter of their lives.
Solo fostering
It is often important for the child or young person to be a ‘solo’ placement - in other words, they’re the only child in the home. That means solo fostering is usually only suitable for foster carers without other children (biological or fostered) in their home.
Fostering siblings
Specialist fostering
In many ways, all fostering is specialist. However, when we talk about specialist fostering we refer to roles which present particular challenges and which call for specific skills and patience.
Fostering unaccompanied asylum seeking children
More and more unaccompanied children are entering the UK from overseas, forced from their homes and family by war, famine and disease or persecution and social upheaval. Fostering unaccompanied asylum-seeking children can be extremely rewarding experience as you provide them with a safe and secure home environment.
Interim fostering
Interim fostering involves caring for a baby, child or young person for a few weeks or months while difficulties at home are resolved. Interim fostering is often linked to further assessments of the baby, child or young person and other family members, together with court processes.
How to become a foster parent
Looking to become a foster carer in Scotland? To become a foster carer there are six steps you’ll complete, depending on your circumstances, the process can take between four and six months.
Application process
At FCA Scotland we do all we can to make the application process as straightforward as it can be. It’s important to us that you’re always kept well informed and the process is as stress-free and smooth as possible.
Fostering Application
Checks and references
Fostering Panel
How does the fostering panel work? The fostering panel will take place at a venue local to you. It takes the form of a meeting made up of about eight or nine independent panel members who have related experience.
Your First Foster Child
Once you’ve been matched to a young person we’ll try to introduce you to them in advance if possible so you can get to know them. You’ll have prepared a welcome booklet for the young person, with pictures of you, your family and your home. This helps bring you and your family to life for them.
Fostering Matching Process
Matching is a critical part of the fostering process as it defines the success of the placement. And that’s why we take it so seriously. By getting it right, children, young people and foster carers have a positive and more rewarding experience.
How will fostering affect my family?
Privacy Statement
We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data. This privacy notice will inform you as to how we look after your personal data when you visit our website (regardless of where you visit it from) and tell you about your privacy rights and how the law protects you.
Modern Slavery Statement
This policy applies to all individuals working for the Company or on the Company’s behalf in any capacity, including employees, directors, officers, agency workers, volunteers, agents, contractors, consultants and business partners.
Refer a friend
Careers
If you are looking for a rewarding career within an amazing team, then find your new role at FCA and join our family.
Form F Assessors
As a fostering agency we are continually recruiting good foster carers in all of our regions. We are looking to identify skilled and experienced social workers to undertake fostering assessments with us
Application form
Interested in joining FCA Scotland? Download a copy of our application form and other forms you may need.
Foster A Child
Retargeting
Virtual Fostering Information Evening
Test
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