The Scottish Government

Fostering Service

What the definition can cover

Fostering service provided by local authorities for looked after children.

Fostering service for children provided by other people on behalf of a local authority.

Local authority services to ensure the well-being of privately fostered children.

(Fostering service includes recruiting, selecting, approving, training and supporting foster carers: matching children and young people with foster carers; supporting and monitoring foster carers; and the work of agency fostering panels and other approval panels).

Examples

Services arranging:

• long-term placements or short breaks;
• substitute care where a child's family is unable to provide care;
• respite care to give parents a break;and
• complementary care to provide additional opportunities for children.

Commencement status

Commenced 1 April 2004.

Relevant Regulations

Relevant regulations

Fitness of Providers, Managers and Employees of Care Services

The Regulation of Care (Fitness to Register, Provide and Manage Care Services) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2009 Scottish Statutory Instrument (SSI) number 130)

The Regulation of Care (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2009 (Scottish Statutory Instrument (SSI) number 32)

Minimum Frequency of Inspection

The Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 (minimum Frequency of Inspections) Order 2009 (Scottish Statutory Instrument (SSI) number 131)