Short-break fostering

Short‑term care that makes a lasting difference.

At Aberlour, short‑break fostering is more than just a service. It is a lifeline for children and young people. These planned, short‑term stays give children the chance to experience stability, care and encouragement in a nurturing home. For you, it is an opportunity to make an immediate difference while knowing the impact of your care can last a lifetime.

Whether you are providing respite for a child’s main carer, supporting a child with additional needs, or helping them through a planned period of change, your role as a short‑break foster carer ensures children feel safe, valued and supported right when they need it most.

What is short-break fostering?

Short-break fostering is a planned series of short stays. This may include emergency placements with a familiar carer. It is designed to meet specific needs such as giving a family time to rest, maintaining a child’s routines during a transitional period, or providing therapeutic support.

With Aberlour, you are never doing this alone. We provide full training, round‑the‑clock support and a community of carers who understand the challenges and share in the rewards.

Comparing fostering models: Short-term vs. long-term vs. emergency/interim fostering

Short-break fostering: Planned, flexible care that gives children security during short stays while supporting families to thrive. It is often used for respite or therapeutic purposes and plays a vital role in Scotland’s foster care system.

Long-term fostering: A placement of more than 24 months without a permanence order. It offers children a secure, nurturing environment over years, helping them to heal, grow and form lasting relationships.

Emergency fostering: An unplanned, immediate placement when a child’s safety and wellbeing require urgent action. These placements are short and stabilising, with arrangements reviewed quickly to find the right longer‑term solution.

Interim fostering: A planned placement lasting less than 24 months without a permanence order. It provides stability while decisions are made about a child’s future, which may include returning home, moving to another family, or adoption.

Take the next step

If you're ready to make a significant, positive impact on a child's life by providing immediate, compassionate care, consider becoming a short-term foster carer with Aberlour. Your commitment can be the vital support that a child needs during challenging moments. Enquire today about joining our dedicated team and helping create a lasting difference in the lives of vulnerable children.