If you're in foster care
Foster care is when you go to live with someone else in their home instead of living with your parents. This could be for only a short time or you could stay with them for several years.
You may be able to stay in contact with your birth family if you're in foster care.
Support if you're in foster care
You can speak to a social worker from your local council to talk about being in foster care and ask any questions you have.
There's also lots of information online for people in foster care. You can find people to talk to, practical advice for living in foster care and information about events for care-experienced people.
Who Cares? Scotland
Who Cares? Scotland offer support to help you get advice and find information about being in foster care online. They are independent from your local council's social work department and your foster carer.
Find support and contact details for Who Cares? Scotland.
Young Scot
Young Scot offer information on bursaries, support and places to go for help if you've been in care.
Find services and the support from Young Scot.
Childline
Childline offer information about going into care, dealing with changes and coping with your feelings.
Find information about foster care and support from Childline.
You can also contact them for help at any time. You can:
- call 0800 11 11
- send them a message online
Contact with your birth family
Speak to your social worker if you want to contact your birth family. They can check if you can contact your birth family and help you decide what's best for you.
You may be able to contact your birth family by:
- meeting in person
- talking on the phone
- sending texts or emails
- sending letters or cards
There may be situations where you cannot contact your birth family. Your social worker will tell you why you cannot contact them.
There may also be times when you do not want to contact your birth family. You'll be able to decide whether you want to contact them in most cases.
A judge may decide that you need to spend time with your birth family. If this applies to you, you must attend this family time.
Your rights
You have rights like every other child and adult. These are in place by law and cannot be taken away.
Find information about your rights from Who Cares? Scotland.
Speak to your social worker first if you have any problems, questions or concerns while you're in foster care.
Contact the Scottish Child Law Centre if you need to speak to someone about your legal rights. They can give you free advice.
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