How to contact us for advice
We provide advice to parents, grandparents, relatives, friends and kinship carers who are involved with children’s services in England or need their help. We can help you understand processes and options when social workers or courts are making decisions about your child’s welfare.
Our advice service is free, independent and confidential.
To speak to an adviser, please call our free and confidential advice line 0808 801 0366 (Monday to Friday 9.30am to 3pm, excluding Bank Holidays). For Textphone dial 18001 followed by the advice line number. Or you can ask us a question via email using our advice enquiry form.
Our online advice forums are an anonymous space where parents and kinship carers (also known as family and friends carers) can get legal and practical advice, build a support network and learn from other people’s experiences.
Our get help and advice section describes the processes that you and your family are likely to go through, so that you know what to expect. Our webchat service can help you find the information and advice on our website which will help you understand the law and your rights.
The legal duty is in section 22C (9B) of the Children Act 1989.
It says when thinking about adoption as a possible plan for a child, children’s services have a legal duty to look at whether the child should live with foster for adoption foster carers.
The idea behind foster for adoption is that a child is able to form a strong, early relationship with someone who could go on to be adopt them.
Government statutory guidance says using foster for adoption placements alongside voluntary arrangements is ‘likely to be unusual’ (see paragraph 3.156 of the Children Act 1989 guidance and regulations Volume 2: care planning, placement and case review).
For these reasons, it may be very concerning practice to use foster for adoption and a voluntary arrangement together.
Your donation will help more families access expert legal advice and support from Family Rights Group.
Donate Now