Fostering in Lothian
Interested in fostering in East Lothian, West Lothian or Midlothian? We've been making a life-changing difference to children in care for over 25 years
Fostering in Lothian
Foster Care Agency
We're urgently looking for more kind and caring people to join our East, West and Midlothian fostering team, so we can build brighter futures for more children and teenagers in foster care.
Our Edinburgh fostering team support foster families across the Lothians, including the City of Edinburgh, Livingston, West Calder, Howgate, Dunbar, and more.
As an independent fostering agency with over 25 years of experience, we take great care when placing children with foster parents so they receive the very best care that’s tailored to their needs. Generally, the children who come into our care are aged between 5 to 18; many have experienced some kind of neglect, abuse or family dysfunction and need a stable, loving home until they're able to return home or move on to independence.
Foster families across East Lothian, West Lothian and Midlothian are supported by a local dedicated team of social workers and support staff, as well as a 24/7 helpline with a qualified social worker. The team also arrange regular local events and support groups, so our foster families always feel connected to others in the area. Foster parents also receive regular, quality training which occurs both virtually and face-to-face at our Edinburgh office.
If you’re ready to take your first step into joining our Lothian fostering team, chat to our friendly advisers today.
By phone
Call us at:
0800 369 8512
Enquire online
You can get in touch by filling out our online enquiry form with any queries that you may have.
Your local team
Liberty House
15 Cromarty Campus
Rosyth
KY11 2YB
We're rated 'Very Good'
by the Care Inspectorate.
What is fostering?
Fostering means offering your home to provide a safe, loving family environment for a vulnerable child. Foster homes are needed because there are times when it’s not possible or safe for children to stay with their birth families.
We provide many different types of fostering, including short-term (up to 2 years), long-term (until the child turns 18), emergency and respite placements. We also provide staying put placements for young people aged 18-21, and more specialist foster care placements, such as parent and child fostering and caring for children with disabilities or those seeking asylum.
Your role as a foster carer will involve caring for a child and carrying out typical parenting tasks. You will help support them to heal from difficult past experiences, as well as facilitating contact with birth parents and siblings. You will also attend training and meetings, and keep records of your foster child’s progress.
Generous payments
We offer a fostering allowance of up to £2,290 (tax free) per month, per child, plus holiday and birthday payments, and many other benefits.
Full support package
You'll be connected to the support you need 24/7, ranging from a dedicated social worker, regular support groups and social events, and an out of hours service.
Specialist training
We offer full, personalised training - online and in-person - from teaching the basics to advanced courses, to help you develop your skills as a foster carer.
Excellent outcomes
With all offices rated 'Very Good' by The Care Inspectorate, we pride ourselves on quality and being a fostering agency families and children can rely on.
Shona's fostering story
Shona is a foster carer based in Glasgow. She's been fostering for several years, alongside her job as a Primary Teacher, and has found many transferable skills from teaching that have helped her in her fostering role. She has provided over 45 foster care placements, and is currently caring for two children on a long term basis.
Who can become a
foster carer?
The main requirements to foster a child are:
- Aged over 21 years (no upper age limit)
- Have a spare bedroom
- Have the legal right to work in the UK
You do not need any experience or qualifications, as full training is given – but it’s important to be passionate about wanting to make a difference to children’s lives.
There are also no requirements regarding background or family circumstances. Foster parents can be single, gay, married or straight and we encourage applicants from all ethnic backgrounds to join our fostering team.
Speak to us today if you have any questions.
The fostering process
Step 1 - Enquire
To find out more about fostering, you just need to complete our enquiry form (or call us on 0800 369 8512) and we’ll chat through everything. Whether you’re just looking for more information or you’re ready to apply, our team are here to help.
Step 2 - Home visit
If you're happy to proceed, we'll arrange to visit you to share more information and answer any of your questions.
Step 3 - Application & Assessment
Once you’re ready to apply, you'll complete an application and we'll carry out our checks and complete our Form F assessment. The whole process generally takes between 4-6 months.
Step 4 - Approval
Once your assessment is complete, you'll attend a panel meeting. We'll discuss your application and you’ll then be officially approved as a foster carer.
Already fostering?
We try to make things as simple as possible to transfer to us if you’re looking to change from your current foster care agency or local authority.
The first things to do is to speak to our fostering advisers and we’ll arrange to visit you at home to have a chat about what’s involved.
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