Children, young people and families

More information 

You can find out more about the Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme (Scottish Government website).

The Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme funds nurseries and childminders to provide a daily serving of milk and a snack for children who attend for at least 2 hours a day.

It aims to ensure children have daily servings of healthy food and drink items from an early age to help their growth and development.

The daily serving includes: 

• plain fresh cow's milk or a non-dairy alternative, or infant formula for children under 12 months old
• a healthy snack, either fruit or vegetables.

Any nursery or childminder in Renfrewshire can register for the scheme if you:

• are registered with the Care Inspectorate
• provide care to pre-school children for 2 hours or more a day. 

Under the scheme, children will get milk, or a non-dairy alternative, and a healthy snack serving once a day if they attend at least 2 hours of nursery or childcare.

If a child goes to more than 1 nursery or childminder during the day, they should still receive only 1 serving a day. 

If a child gets the milk and snack serving at another nursery or childminder before coming to your setting, you do not need to provide it again.

You should agree with the child's parents and carers when the milk and snack is provided, in line with any other arrangements for meals at your setting.

You should keep a record if a parent or carer chooses to decline all or part of the milk and snack provision for their child.

From 1 April 2022, a national combined rate of 58.2p for milk, non-dairy alternatives, and a healthy snack was introduced for every eligible child.

There is no charge for parents or carers of children who get the daily milk and snack provision. 

What you cannot use the scheme for

This scheme is separate from any other meal or snack arrangements you provide at your setting. 

You cannot use these payments for other types of food, drinks, meals, or products that are not approved for the scheme.

See the products that must be provided under the scheme (Scottish Government website).

You'll need to give us an estimate of the number of milk and snack servings you expect to provide from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2027, so we can calculate payments to childcare settings.

We recommend you base this on your existing catering estimates and the number of children you expect attend your setting each day. 

For example, if you’re a nursery with 80 places, you could apply for between 80 to 120 servings per day.

In your application, you'll need to provide:

• the registered name, address and postcode of your nursery or childminding business
• your contact details
• which type of childcare provision you provide (either day care or childminding)
• the address where the nursery or childminder is
• the bank name, account number, and sort code of the nursery or childminder
• if you keep an attendance record
• how many children are enrolled at your nursery or childminding setting
• how many sessions you provide a week
• how many children you expect to care for at a session
• how many milk and snack servings a month you expect to provide
• a copy of your childcare provider's certificate of registration - you can upload this as a photo (JPEG) or a scanned document (PDF).

Register for the Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme online

This year's scheme runs from 1 August 2026 until 31 July 2027.

We'll let you know if we have confirmed your registration. 

We'll tell you by email when your payments will start. 

When you'll get paid

This year's scheme runs from 1 August 2026 until 31 July 2027.

If your registration is confirmed, you’ll get 3 payments during the year to purchase the products that must be provided under the scheme (Scottish Government website).

The 3 payment periods cover:

• 1 August 2026 to 30 November 2026
• 1 December 2026 to 31 March 2027
• 1 April 2027 to 31 July 2027.

If you register before 20 July 2026, you'll get your first payment on or around 1 August 2026.

If you register after 20 July 2026, you'll be paid within 4 weeks of the date you registered. 

You will not get backdated payments if you register after 20 July 2026.

We'll make the second payment on or around 1 December 2026.

We'll make the third payment during the week commencing 6 April 2027.

Renfrewshire’s Promise annual report

Keeping The Promise in Renfrewshire – Annual Report 2026 provides a clear and accessible account of collective progress from February 2025 to February 2026.

It outlines how partners across Renfrewshire are continuing to embed the foundations of The Promise.

Two versions of the Annual Report:

• Renfrewshire’s Promise 2026 - A comprehensive report detailing progress across all services and partnership areas, explaining how The Promise is being delivered locally and how lived experience shapes decision making, planning and system change.
• Renfrewshire’s Pinky Promise 2026 - A child friendly version presenting the key messages in a simple, visual and accessible format for children, young people, and anyone who prefers a simpler style.

Keep The Promise in Renfrewshire Action Plan 2026 to 2029

The Action Plan 2026 to 2029 sets out detailed actions partners will deliver over the next 3 years. It aligns with: Promise Plan 24–30, Scottish Government Implementation Plan and Local strategic priorities.

The plan uses 2 core descriptors:

• Descriptor 1: Listening, Leading and Working Together -
  Focuses on leadership, governance, culture, language and ensuring Care Experienced voices shape all activity.
• Descriptor 2: Supporting Families and Changing Systems That Work for Everyone - 
  Focuses on workforce development, employability, whole family wellbeing, children’s hearings, community justice, and system redesign.

Each action includes responsibilities, timescales and monitoring measures.

We want to work together to support infants, children, and families when they need help.

The Promise is included in lots of council plans and is across all council services and our partners.

The Promise has a key focus around better life experiences for all our Care Experienced Community.

Our transfer process is quick and easy. Contact us to start the process.

Reasons to transfer to us

You can:

• keep Renfrewshire children living in the area
• foster children from a wide range of ages, from 0 to 21
• giving back to your local community.

You could get up to £31,990.92 a year for each child that you foster.

This is from:

• a weekly fostering payment or £330.46 per child
• an allowance of up to £284.75 per week per child to cover food, clothing, schooling, and other costs..

We provide:

• support and training before and during fostering
• dedicated social worker always on hand
• access to Renfrewshire’s local carer support group.

See support and training for foster carers.

See allowances and payments for foster carers.

To talk to us about transferring from a fostering agency to Renfrewshire Council use our contact form.

Contact us about fostering

To talk to us about transferring from a fostering agency to Renfrewshire Council, you can phone 0300 300 1199.

Stages in the fostering process

There are three stages to become a foster carer:

• information
• preparation
• formal application.

Information stage

At this stage, you are reading up on fostering and assessing if this is something you want to do. You can:

• download our fostering information pack
• sign up to a fostering email list to receive information about fostering and event.
• speak to a member of the team and ask questions. Phone us on 0300 300 1199 or email childrenandfamilies@renfrewshire.gov.uk. 

Preparation stage

When you’re ready to start the fostering process, you should phone us on 0300 300 1199.

This stage includes:

• initial home visit
• preparation groups.

Formal application stage

Once you’ve completed the preparation stage, you can formally apply to become a foster carer.

This stage includes:

• home study assessment
• fostering panel.

Timescale

How long it will take to complete the process of become an approved foster carer varies depending on your situation. We need to:

• carry out a comprehensive assessment
• determine applicants’ qualities, skills, and reasons for wanting to foster.

Many candidates will remain in their job throughout the process until they are officially registered as foster carers.

Home visit

You’ll receive a home visit from a social worker to chat about your circumstances and motivations to foster. You’ll be able to ask any questions you have about fostering during the visit.

If both you and the social worker are happy to continue, we will invite you to attend the next available preparation group.

Preparation groups

Preparation groups are made up of 6 introductory modules. The modules are designed to give a comprehensive understanding of the roles and responsibilities of foster carers. All new foster carers must complete all 6 modules.

You’ll hear about the experiences of foster care from:

• other foster carers
• young adults who have been in care
• staff.  

After completing the modules, we’ll arrange a home visit to discuss feedback with you.

If you and the social worker are happy to continue, we’ll give you a formal application to complete. 

Home study assessment

Your supervising social worker will carry out a home study assessment. This is a very thorough assessment that considers the background, family history, relationships and living situation of all individuals seeking to become foster carers.

It can take between 6 to 9 months to complete.

After completion, we will present successful assessments to the fostering panel for final review and approval.

Fostering Panel

Your home study assessment will be reviewed by a group of professionals on the fostering panel.

Your supervising social worker will make a recommendation to the panel on your suitability to become a foster carer. You may be asked further questions relating to your answers at the panel.

The panel will make recommendations on the age, gender and number of children you'll be allowed to foster. These will go to the agency decision maker for a final decision. If agreed, we will send out an official letter of confirmation within 14 days of approval.

Foster with Renfrewshire Council

Find out how to become a foster carer with us.

Contact fostering

You can contact us online about fostering.

Contact us about fostering

From short-term to long-term foster care, there are different ways you can support children and young people.

We have different types of foster care arrangements to help meet the needs of children in different circumstances. You could foster:

• younger children
• teenagers
• siblings
• disabled children
• black and minority ethnic children
• unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

Stay over fostering

You could care for children or young people for:

• an overnight stay
• or a weekend or slightly longer.

Short term (interim) fostering

You could foster a child or young person until they:

• can return home to their own family
• are placed with long-term foster carers or adoptive family.

Short term (interim) breaks can last from a few days to several months.

Long term fostering

You could foster children or young people for a number of years, up until age 18.

You'll be able to offer the long term support they need to grow and thrive if they cannot return to their family.

Foster with Renfrewshire Council

Find out how to become a foster carer with us. 

Contact us

You can contact us online about fostering.

Contact us about fostering

How we support our foster carers

We have a team of supervising social workers who provide support to our foster carers.

You’ll get:

• quality training to become a foster carer and ongoing
• dedicated support from a social worker
• access to an educational psychologist team
• access to Renfrewshire’s foster carer network and support group
• free memberships of the Fostering Network.

You’ll get to meet other foster carers and share experiences, advice and support with each other.

You'll also receive an exclusive membership of the Fostering Network, with its comprehensive training and development programme.

How we support foster children

Foster children and young people also have an allocated social worker who will visit the child in your care and offer advice and guidance relating to the child’s circumstances.

Foster with Renfrewshire Council

Find out how to become a foster carer with us.

Contact fostering

You can contact us online about fostering.

Contact us about fostering

How much you can get for being a foster carer with Renfrewshire Council

You could get up to £31,990.92 a year for each child that you foster.

You could get up to £615.21 per week, per child. This is made up of a:

• weekly fostering payment
• weekly allowance for provisions to support children being cared for.

Weekly fostering payment

We give foster carers £330.46 per child each week when they are looking after a child.

This is in recognition of the service provided.

Weekly fostering allowance

The amount of money you get each week as a fostering allowance depends on the age of the child that you're caring for.

This allowance covers:

• general care, including food, accommodation, household bills or other related costs
• provision and replacement of clothes, shoes and school uniforms
• pocket money
• attendance at clubs, school and leisure activities
• furniture and bedding
• access to a computer, laptop or mobile.

We also offer support and training for foster carers.

From 18 years to 21 years old

From the age of 18 up to their 21st birthday you'll continue to get money, this is called a continuing care allowance. You'll get £206 continuing care allowance and the fostering fee of £330.46 each week.

Foster with Renfrewshire Council

Find out how to become a foster carer with us.

Contact fostering

You can contact us online about fostering.

Contact us about fostering

Anyone has the potential to become a foster carer. If you’re enthusiastic about looking after children and want to play your part in putting them on the road to success, you might have what it takes.

People of all backgrounds can register their interest in fostering and support the wide range of children living in Renfrewshire.

Basic requirements to foster

To register your interest, you must:

• be over 21
• have a spare bedroom
• be currently in good health.

You can:

• be employed, self-employed, or unemployed
• be married or living together in a committed and enduring relationship
• be single (any gender)
• have any sexual orientation
• have your own children or no children
• own or rent the property you live in
• be of any religious background or none.

In return for your commitment, we offer:

• dedicated support from professional social workers
• comprehensive training
• access to local foster carer network and monthly support group
• payments of up to £581.92 per week, per child. 

Find out more about becoming a foster carer and giving children the chance of a positive, brighter future.

You can ask for a:

• chat with a foster carer
• fostering information pack to be emailed to you
• chat with the fostering team.

To talk to us about fostering use our online form.

Contact us about fostering

To talk to us about fostering on the phone on 0300 300 1199.

To talk to us about fostering and adoption:

• phone 0300 300 1199
• email childrenandfamilies@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Find out how you can make a difference to the lives of children in Renfrewshire.