Children, young people and families

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.