Long-term fostering

Provide a child with stability, love, and a true sense of home.

For many children and young people, a safe, nurturing environment changes everything. Long-term fostering in Scotland is about a more sustained commitment. It provides ongoing care and stability over months or years, allowing children to forge deep, lasting relationships and enjoy a truly secure home environment that supports their long-term growth and healing. Often lasting for years, it’s about offering the consistent, loving support that helps children heal, grow in confidence, and thrive.

What Is long-term fostering?

Long-term fostering involves welcoming a child or young person into your home for an extended period. Unlike short-break placements, this form of fostering is designed to offer continuity, create lasting bonds, and give children the stability they need to flourish. It's a commitment that goes beyond temporary care, establishing a secure foundation as children navigate their futures.

How does long-term differ from short-break and emergency/interim fostering?

Short-break fostering is usually a planned series of short stays, sometimes just for a weekend or a few days, to give a child’s main carer respite or to provide therapeutic support. It can also include occasional emergency placements with a carer the child already knows. Although the child comes for short breaks, the lasting impact on a child and their family can be life-changing. Moreover, this key support can often keep children with their long-term foster carers over a longer period of time, providing our children with stability, nurture and love.

Emergency fostering takes place when a child needs to be moved quickly for their safety and wellbeing. These placements are unplanned, reviewed within days, and often last only a short time while the right longer term solution is found. The main focus is on immediate protection and meeting urgent needs.

Interim fostering is a planned, temporary arrangement that usually lasts under two years while decisions are made about a child’s future. It provides important stability during a transition, whether the plan is to return home, move to another foster family, or progress to adoption.

Why long-term foster carers are so essential

Children benefit immensely from consistent, ongoing support in a stable home environment. At Aberlour, our long-term foster carers are at the heart of our mission because they create strong, lasting bonds that can transform a child's life. Their dedication ensures that each child receives tailored guidance and care, making long-term fostering the most needed and impactful form of fostering.

Take the first step

If you are passionate about providing a stable, nurturing home and believe in the transformative power of long-term care, consider joining our team of dedicated long-term foster carers. Your commitment can create a lasting impact on a child's life. Enquire today about becoming a long-term foster carer with Aberlour and help us build brighter futures together.