Foster for adoption is a type of foster care. It is used when adoption is being looked at for a child. It:
- Involves babies and younger children who are ‘looked after’ living with foster carers who may go on to adopt them
- Is allowed even though adoption is not yet the formal plan for the child
- Can happen even though the Family Court has not been involved.
What is the duty on children’s services to look at a foster for adoption?
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.
When should foster for adoption foster care be used?
It for use in situations where adoption is highly likely. This should only be where:
- The child is unlikely to be able to live safely with their parents and
- There is no one who can care for the child in the family and friends’ network. For example, a grandma, aunt or uncle.
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).
This is because it is a very serious step to decide:
- A child is highly likely to be adopted
- A child should be cared for by foster for adoption foster carer
- To use foster for adoption without the involvement of the Family Court. And most section 20 arrangements are put in place without court oversight.
For these reasons, it may be very concerning practice to use foster for adoption and a voluntary arrangement together.