Permanent Fostering
Although the first aim for children in care is to help them return to their own families, for a small number, the family problems are so serious that this is not possible. In these circumstances it is important for the child that arrangements are made so that they have the chance to grow up is a secure, stable family and do not have to live with continuing uncertainty about what is going to happen next. For some children, particularly those who are younger, this may be achieved by placing them with an adoptive family. For others adoption may not be the best option. Many older children who are unable to return home still want to maintain contact with their birth families and do not want to make the legal break with the past that comes with adoption. In these circumstances a permanent fostering placement will give the child long term security as part of a foster family without the legal finality of adoption.
Permanent foster carers are making a long term commitment to a child to be part of their family. They are approved as foster carers in the same way as temporary foster carers and have access to the same range of support, training and financial allowances. In some cases temporary foster carers offer a permanent placement to a child who has been with them on a temporary fostering basis. It is important for the carers and their whole family to think carefully about this change to be sure that they can make the long term commitment that a permanent placement requires.