The Fostering Network in Scotland

I'm encouraging care experienced people to #TickTheBox on their UCAS form when applying for college or university, to say they've spent time in care. This will make sure they get the support they're entitled to - from financial assistance to help with wellbeing. @fosteringnet-scot.bsky.social

Today's fostering stats paint a mixed picture - the number of new foster families is up for the first time in 5 years, but the total number of foster families continues to fall, showing that more still needs to be done to retain carers. Read the release at www.careinspectorate.com/images/docum...

Yesterday our head of policy and campaigns, Natalie Williams, gave evidence to the Children's Committee on the Promise Bill. She highlighted our support for a register but the need for provisions in the Bill to address foster carer finances & extend Continuing Care. Watch more here shorturl.at/92JMA

We welcome the Children (Care, Care Experience & Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill introduced this week, particularly the provision to create a national register of foster carers. But key issues like financial support for foster carers remain unaddressed. tinyurl.com/TFN-Bill-response

Read the spotlight report to learn more about the findings from Scotland and see our recommendations for the Scottish Government, placing authorities and fostering services. www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/media/kbbnsg...

The top motivation to foster in Scotland remains to make a difference to the lives of children and young people in care. But foster carers can't do this without support.

An infographic showing five people, four of whom are just outlines and are portrayed as experiencing financial worries (with a thought bubble, an empty wallet, empty pockets, and a bill). The fifth person is illustrated in colour and looks content. The text underneath reads "Only one in five foster carers feel their fee is sufficient to cover their essential living costs."

They also reported inadequate allowances and fees, underscoring the need for a Scottish Recommended Allowance that truly covers the costs of caring for a child in foster care, and a new national fee framework to ensure foster carers have the financial support they need.

An infographic showing a young person with a cloud above their head, with the text "40% of foster carers are fostering a child who needs mental health support but isn't getting it, up from a third (32%) in 2021."

Foster carers described a lack of mental health support for the children they look after, with too many children waiting for vital support.

An infographic with four people. The first two are illustrated in colour and look content, while the second two are only outlines and look concerned, with questions marks above their heads. The text underneath reads "Less than half (48%) of foster carers said they were given all the information they needed to care for the child they were most recently matched with."

Across most areas of the matching process, foster carers' experiences have worsened since 2021.

This morning we launched our State of the Nations' Foster Care: Spotlight on Scotland 2024 Report. Like our UK-wide report, many of the findings make for dispiriting reading.

Four staff members from The Fostering Network smiling and standing behind a table with an orange tablecloth, flyers and friendship bracelets. The edge of a sign saying Glasgow Science Centre is visible behind them.

Had such an amazing time today at our family fun day! Big thanks to all the fostering families who came along and to @glasgowscience.bsky.social for being such superb hosts. Great energy all day - what a lovely way to celebrate Foster Care Fortnight 🧡 #FCF

A graphic showing Katie, who is a young person in foster care and is worried about her Permanence Order running out and what it might mean for her. This is to promote Foster Care Fortnight 2025.

For#FCF25 we’re sharing example scenarios to highlight our resources about the right to continuing care for young people in foster care – Katie is almost 16 and worried about her Permanence Order ‘running out’ and what this will mean for her: buff.ly/00vHIhI

A young boy sits on the sofa next to a

If you can provide stability and care, you can provide the loving foster home a child needs.

As a part of Foster Care Fortnight, the Scottish Government is encouraging more people to make a difference, by becoming foster carers. Learn more here: gov.scot/fostercare

A graphic to promote the latest blog from CELCIS, which is promoting Foster Care Fortnight 2025. Written by Anne Currie from The Fostering Network, it is entitled: "Why face-to-face support matters to foster carers".

For Foster Care Fortnight, this guest blog post by Anne Currie of The Fostering Network discusses why face-to-face meetings and events are so important in building peer relationships between foster carers, and with social workers, to help support the children they care for: buff.ly/J4MEozr #FCF25

State of the Nations’ Foster Care 2024: Spotlight on Scotland webinar Explore the key findings for Scotland from the State of the Nations' Foster Care 2024 survey.

Among their activities during #FCF25, @fosteringnet-scot.bsky.social are hosting an online event exploring their 2024 State of the Nations’ Foster Care findings - Scotland. It's open to all foster carers & services. 21st May 11am - more info and registration ⬇️

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/state-of-t...

The Scottish Government have launched a new campaign to recruit more foster carers

To assist the campaign, @fosteringnet-scot.bsky.social set up a helpline to support prospective foster carers and answer any answer questions

Find out more at www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk, or call 0141 204 1400

Foster care changes lives - for children and for the families who welcome them in.

It was great to meet foster carers and our partner organisations today, to launch our national campaign to recruit more foster carers. Thank you for all you do.

We're delighted that Scot Gov have launched their new foster carer recruitment campaign, which we've been calling for, to help recruit the 350 new foster families Scotland needs this year. We're pleased to be supporting the campaign through our recruitment line in Scotland.

A quote graphic celebrating Foster Care Fortnight 2025, featuring the CELCIS director, Claire Burns.

Foster Care Fortnight celebrates foster carers and the important part they play in children’s lives. Today we recognise the love and support carers give to children and young people across Scotland: buff.ly/Gilg8rj #FCF25

We're excited to share our programme of events in Scotland for Foster Care Fortnight 2025! #FCF25 will run from 12-25 May with the theme The Power of Relationships. View the programme here: tinyurl.com/FCFprogramme

Last week we wrote to the Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise @nataliedon-innes.bsky.social setting out our key priorities for the forthcoming Promise Bill. Read the letter here: www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/news/our-let...

We've published our response to the Scottish Government's #FutureOfFosterCare consultation, setting out our support for a national foster carer recruitment campaign & calling for better financial, emotional & practical help for carers. Read our response here: thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/fofcconsult

The front cover of a report, titled "State of the Nations' Foster Care: Full Report 2024", with an illustration of children and foster carers standing in front of a map of the UK.

Our 2024 State of the Nations’ Foster Care report is out 📢

The results are clear - urgent change is needed now, so all children and young people can live in a stable, loving home.

We're calling on the government to act.

➡️Read the report: bit.ly/3EvfwRr

#SotN #fostercare