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As a devolved nation within the United Kingdom, Scotland's government is mainly undertaken by the Scottish Parliament and its committees. This includes foster care provision.

There are currently 3,500 children and young people in foster care in Scotland, not including those living with family members and friends. These children are looked after by some 2,500 foster families, all of whom are members of the Fostering Network Scotland.

Foster carers are now Scotland's primary resource for children in the care system. However, strong campaigning from the Fostering Network Scotland has highlighted a growing crisis in recruitment and retention of foster carers.

The work of the Fostering Network

Our work includes:

  • working with the Scottish Executive, the Scottish Parliament and local authorities across Scotland to establish accurate information on fostering
  • developing a partnership between foster carers, service providers and planners
  • encouraging the greater involvement of children and young people, parents, foster carers and other relevant professionals in social workers' plans
  • providing training to foster carers and social workers in Scotland
  • maintaining links with all parts of the care system, through project work and the Scottish committee

Children's hearings system

The children's hearings system has been in operation since 1971. (Social Work (Scotland) Act 1985)

The system has key responsibilities for children and young people who may be in need of compulsory measures of supervision.

This includes children and young people who have committed offences, who are beyond parental control or have persistently failed to attend school and children and young people who have been abused or neglected. Such cases of abuse or neglect can involve foster carers either in emergency placements while allegations are investigated, or in more permanent placements involving attendance at hearings.

For more detailed information on the children's hearings system, read the Fostering Network Scotland's briefing sheet.

Fostering in Scotland Newsletter

Catch up with the latest news with the Fostering in Scotland newsletter.