Fostering

Have you thought about fostering but worry that you would find it too difficult to 'let a child go'?

Permanent fostering is intended to provide young children with a 'forever family' where a decision has been made that they cannot return to their birth family.

Most children or young people are over the age of 8 and may be part of a sibling group. They will have experienced the loss of their birth family and have lived with interim carers for some time. They need carers who will accept them as part of their family, will help them feel secure, achieve their potential and accept that there may be ongoing contact with their birth family.

Permanent placements are carefully matched and, unlike adoption, the legal responsibilities for the child or young person will shared with the local authority and foster carers. This includes having an ability to sign consents and make key decisions in health and education in partnership with the social work department.

Most permanent carers are either adding to their existing family, have been interim carers to the child or young person or wish to care for children and young people whilst having the support of the team around the child.