Fostering FAQs
Fostering can be an incredibly fulfilling opportunity, but we recognise that it’s a big decision to make.
There’s lots to consider, so we have some frequently asked questions here to help you with your decision making.
Whilst taking on the role of a foster carer should not be driven by financial incentive, we are realistic about the cost to individuals who embark on these professional roles. With this in mind, early in 2025, Orkney Islands Council agreed an enhanced packed of both financial and emotional support for our foster carers.
I don’t have a spare room – can I foster?
Most fostering services require you to have a spare bedroom, to ensure the child you foster has the privacy and space they require. The exception is babies who can usually share a foster carer’s bedroom up to a certain age (usually around 12-18 months).
If you are short of space, you may wish to consider short break care, which covers a variety of different types of part-time care. You could have a child to stay for a few hours or a day each week, giving their own family or their full-time foster carers a break.
