Family Based Care-Inverclyde (Fostering)

Fostering Can Look Different for Different People

Fostering is not one-size-fits-all. People and families foster in different ways, at different stages of their lives, and with different strengths and availability.

With Inverclyde HSCP, there are a range of ways you can foster, including:
• Short breaks fostering – providing planned support to children, families and other foster carers.
• Short-term / interim fostering – caring for a child while plans are made for their future.
• Long-term / permanent fostering – offering stability and a lasting home when a child cannot return to their birth family.
• Emergency fostering – providing immediate care at short notice.
• Parent and child fostering – supporting a parent and their baby or young child during assessment and guidance.
• Supported care – helping young people stay in a family home while developing independence and life skills.

Services Offered

Children's Health
Parent Support

There are many ways to foster, but fostering locally with Inverclyde HSCP offers some unique benefits:
• Local children, local carers – supporting children to remain within their own communities, close to their family networks, schools, friendships and familiar surroundings.
• Strong professional support – each carer has a named supervising social worker who provides regular supervision, guidance and practical support, with access to out-of-hours advice when needed.
• A supportive and accessible team – you know who to phone, and we know you, your household and the child in your care. Support is personal, responsive and based on real relationships, not call centres or distant teams.
• Relational, partnership-based working – foster carers are valued as key partners in care. Your views, knowledge and day-to-day experience are respected and actively shape planning and decision-making for children.
• Learning and development – you will have access to high-quality training and ongoing development opportunities, including preparation training, mandatory learning and specialist courses linked to children’s needs. Training is supportive, practical and designed to build confidence over time.
• Peer support – our foster carers are also supported by other experienced carers. Many tell us that being able to talk to someone who has “been there” can make a real difference. We want to make sure you have opportunities for peer support, mentoring and connection between carers, alongside professional supervision and training. This includes exploring ways that experienced carers can support people who are newer to fostering and creating spaces where carers can learn from and support one another.

Financial Support for Foster Carers
We recognise that fostering is a skilled and demanding role; that is why when you foster with Inverclyde HSCP, you will be financially supported to focus on providing safe, stable and nurturing care.
Foster carers with Inverclyde HSCP receive both a fee and a fostering allowance.

Foster Carer Fee

Foster carers are paid a generous weekly fee of £350 per child.

This improved fee recognises the commitment, responsibility and skills involved in fostering, and reflects the vital role foster carers play as part of the team around the child.

Many carers choose to foster with Inverclyde HSCP because of the wider package of support we provide, including strong, relationship-based working, access to a local and accessible team, high-quality training, and the opportunity to care for children from their own community.

For many carers, this balance between competitive financial recognition and meaningful support, consistency and local connection, is what makes fostering with Inverclyde the right choice.

Fostering Allowance

In addition to the fee, carers also receive a weekly fostering allowance. This is in line with the Scottish Government recommended fostering allowance rates.

Weekly allowances for 2025/2026 are:
• 0 to 4 year-olds: £171.17
• 5 to 10 year-olds: £199.14
• 11 to 15 year-olds: £199.14
• 16-years-old and over: £272.97

This allowance is intended to cover the day-to-day costs of caring for a child or young person, such as food, clothing, activities and other essentials.

What the Process Looks Like

Start your Journey!
Your journey starts with an informal chat. This is simply an opportunity to find out more about fostering locally and to ask any questions — there is no pressure or obligation. You can find out more about how you could start your fostering journey today by giving our team a call on 01475 715 365.