Solo fostering
Virtually all foster children just like many children can place big demands on their parents. That much is common in all types of fostering, with many children having additional emotional or behavioural issues because of their past experiences. Sometimes, these experiences will have had such a strong and powerful effect that the child or young person needs more intense support and closer supervision than normal.
What is solo fostering?
In these cases, it’s 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. They’re also best suited to people with high degrees of patience and a real passion for working with challenging children.
With hard work and commitment, lives can be transformed sometimes quickly, and this type of fostering can offer some intense but also inspirational experiences for everyone involved.
As you can imagine, children on solo placements need plenty of care and individual attention. While the foster carer provides much of this, they’re also supported with additional resources from FCA Scotland, including closer monitoring from social workers and therapists.
Are you thinking of fostering?
Download the FCA’s complete beginner’s guide to fostering a child. Find out more on how to foster a child and the process involved.
How to become a
foster carer
To become a foster carer the first step is to fill out our online form and we’ll be in touch to talk to you more about fostering, check you meet the initial criteria to foster and of course answer any questions you may have.
Our team will then arrange to visit you at home, so find out in more depth about fostering and also give us the opportunity to get to know you better. You’ll then need to fill in an application form and, if accepted, you’ll start your full fostering assessment.
Interested in becoming a foster carer with FCA Scotland?
Do you have the skills and flexibility to be a respite foster parent? Enter your town or postcode to find your nearest office or get in touch today.
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Other types of fostering
Asylum seeking children
Fostering unaccompanied asylum-seeking children can be extremely rewarding experience as you provide them with a safe and secure home environment. Your role is to support them for as long as they need, helping them adapt to a new culture.
Fostering siblings
Keeping brothers and sisters together after being placed in foster care is crucial. This type of fostering focuses on matching sibling groups with foster homes big enough for multiple foster children and foster parents who are capable of meeting their needs.
Emergency Foster Care
Sometimes children need a safe place to stay in the event of an emergency, often with little to no warning. Emergency foster care provides them with that much-needed security when they need it most.
Short break fostering
Also known as respite fostering, this is where a foster carer takes on the care and support of a child or young person so that the usual foster carer can take a well-deserved break. We offer all of our foster carers respite care every year.
Continuing care
Continuing Care takes children through to the age of 21, ensuring a more seamless and supported transition to adulthood. It’s available to all young people who are, or have been, in a continuing relationship with a foster carer.
Solo fostering
In some cases, it’s 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 in their home.
Specialist fostering
Calling for huge amounts of care, compassion and patience, this type of fostering often involves handling medications and managing complex care routines, so it’s especially demanding on your time and commitment.
Speak to our team
Whether you’re ready to start your journey or just want to chat to an expert, we're here to talk.
Can’t find what you’re looking for?
By Phone
Call a member of our friendly fostering team and they'll be able to answer all your questions.