Permanent Fostering and Adoption
Last updated | 22/04/2008
These children may have experienced difficult childhoods. As a result, this may lead them to feelings of low self-esteem, rejection and sadness, and need help in learning how to manage their relationships more positively.
In such cases, a full genuine commitment is needed from carers until the child or young person reaches independence.
Permanent fostering is one option for such situations, and it can be the best approach for older children who need or want to keep links with a member of their birth family, eg a parent, grandparent, brother or sister.
Adoption may be appropriate in other circumstances, particularly for younger children. This is the legal process where all rights and responsibilities for a child are passed to adoptive parents. The child will take their name, is entitled to a share in their estate and will lose all legal ties to their birth family, although some adopted children may keep in touch with them.
Babies are occasionally placed for adoption, but most children are of primary school age. They may be part of a sibling group and often have special needs.
Support, training and financial assistance for permanent fostering is provided by the Council's Permanence Team and is based on the needs of the child. Financial assistance towards the upbringing of adopted children is possible, depending on the child's needs. If the adoptive family feel it would be helpful for them, support from the Council can continue at any time after the adoption.
