Peer Support

Our peer groups are safe, supportive spaces for parents, carers, and children to connect, share, and grow.

Groups for Children and Young Adults

Our indoor and outdoor groups offer children and young adults meaningful opportunities to connect, grow, and enjoy shared experiences. Being alongside peers who “get it” helps foster trust, confidence, and a sense of belonging.

Our groups are designed to:

Encourage healthy self‑expression through creative and play‑based activities
Support the development of friendships with others who share similar lived experiences
Provide positive, inclusive experiences within a group setting
Build resilience and coping skills in a supportive, age‑appropriate environment

Through these groups, children and young adults also have the opportunity to come together, share their perspectives, and develop a collective voice to advocate for the rights of care‑experienced young people.

Overall, the groups help participants feel accepted, understood, and less alone, normalising their experiences through connection with others.

Parents and Carers Community

A dedicated space for parents and carers to connect with others who understand their experiences. Parenting can be both rewarding and overwhelming, and our groups recognise and support that balance.

We offer a welcoming community grounded in shared experience and understanding:

Share experiences and ask questions with others who truly understand.
Gain emotional support during challenging times.
Learn practical strategies for navigating daily life.

Sometimes the best therapy is knowing you’re not alone.

Parent Practitioners

Experienced adoptive parents trained to guide and support others. They provide practical advice and emotional understanding from someone with lived experience.

Get Involved

Young Ambassadors

Ambassadors are care experienced young people who share their own adoption or fostering experiences with the wider community. They work within our children's groups, help shape the work we do and the work of others through advocacy, feedback and training.

Become an Ambassador

Key Testimonials

Insights from others who have been part of our peer support groups, workshops and wider adoption and fostering community.

"The support provided by Scottish Adoption and Fostering is invaluable and was a key factor in us choosing to begin our adoption journey. If it hadn’t been available we may not have adopted."

Adoptive Parent

"I have no doubt that had it not been for the continual support from Scottish Adoption and Fostering our placement would have broken down. We will be forever thankful to Jette and the rest of the team who have supported us on this journey.”

Support from Occupational Therapy

“I learned way more from the course than I thought I would. Not just from the trainers but also the other parents experiences. Thanks for sharing your knowledge, own experiences and providing us with tools to help us have a much happier and calmer family life. It has definitely changed the way we are with each other. For the first time in years I’m not feeling on edge and can fully appreciate my lovely children.”

Therapeutic Parenting Through the Tough Times Workshop Participant

“Scottish Adoption and Fostering have helped with our own wellbeing as parents during difficult times and also ensured we know our rights and given us a voice to advocate for what is best for our girls. Parents of teens group has been a real emotional crutch and therapy space that has helped ground us as we know we are not the only people with challenges. It has been a fantastic forum to swap ideas and support each other.”

Parent of Teens Group Attendee

"It is a brilliant service you provide, invaluable for parents and not something that is duplicated elsewhere and certainly not for free. The positive impact for families and for care experienced children is felt immediately and also gives a long term benefit. A huge Thank You for all the peer support, professional expertise and generosity of spirit."

Parents of Primary Group Attendee

“To have Jette and Kath's knowledge and expertise was a huge privilege for us, their feedback has been really helpful for us as new parents and the online space they held for adoptive parents to openly share their experience was really appreciated. Thank you all for this invaluable support.”

Feedback from Early Days Programme Attendees

Get in Touch to Join the Community

Our communities offer a welcoming, supportive and fun environment.

Join a Group Now

Enquiry Form

Complete this simple form to enquire about joining a support group.