What’s the difference between being a foster parent and foster carer?

At Barnardo’s we prefer to use the term foster carers, but whichever term you use the role is the same. Fostering provides a safe, secure and stable environment for children and young people who cannot live with their birth family.

Do foster carers get paid?

We offer generous financial support, including a taxable income, as well as a weekly fostering allowance to help with the cost of looking after a child.

What’s the difference between fostering and adoption?

There are different types of fostering, people can provide foster care to children, for a few days or for a number of years. With long term fostering the foster family will care for a child until they reach adulthood, but legal responsibility will continue to sit with the local authority.

Can you work while you foster?

As there is no statutory right to time off to care for foster children, it would preferable if the foster parent works part time at a maximum. Full time workers can still apply to be respite foster carers, caring for children and young people on the weekends and school holidays.

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Fostering children with Barnardo's Scotland

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By Barnardo's Scotland Fostering and Adoption

Helping Birth Children Through the Fostering Transition
Tue, Oct 14, 2025 10:00 AM BST (+01:00)
£5.99 - £7.99
State of the Nations’ Foster Care 2024: Spotlight on Scotland webinar
Wed, May 21, 2025 11:00 AM BST (+01:00)
Free
Parent and child arrangements within fostering
Wed, Jun 25, 2025 9:30 AM BST (+01:00)
£42.50
Foster for Greater Manchester Webinar: Finding homes for refugee children
Mon, May 12, 2025 7:30 PM BST (+01:00)
Free
Supporting Fostered Children In Education
Thu, May 1, 2025 4:00 PM BST (+01:00)
Free
Lancaster, CA Become a Foster Parent and Help Children in Your Community
Thu, May 15, 2025 4:00 PM PDT (-07:00)
Free
Parent and Child Fostering
Tue, May 13, 2025 12:00 PM BST (+01:00)
Free
Working in Residential Child Care in Scotland - Webinar
Tue, Apr 29, 2025 7:00 PM BST (+01:00)
Free
Fostering information session with a foster carer
Tue, May 13, 2025 7:00 PM BST (+01:00)
Free
Supporting children with Autism
Sat, May 10, 2025 10:30 AM BST (+01:00)
£11.55

Fostering children with Barnardo's Scotland

Follow this organiser to stay informed on future events

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