Long term or permanent fostering

When all attempts to return a child home to their own family have failed, a decision will be made to look for a permanent family where they can remain for their childhood. Children under the age of 7 years would rarely be placed in long term foster care.

The young people joining a new family at this stage are likely to have experienced many moves and changes in their lives. They may have been abused or neglected by their families, they may have been in Care a number of times before but the support that has been offered by all the agencies has been unable to help make things 'good enough 'for them to remain there.

Some of the children will have brothers and sisters who they wish to live with, others may also be in care in a different foster home or children's home and although not able to live together would wish to see them regularly.

We always need more foster carers who can offer a permanent home to young people like this.

During the assessment and approval process for all foster carers we talk to you about the sort of young person you would be interested in looking after, the age, how long they might be with you, how they might fit in with your own children or teenagers, if you have any.

All the young people are very different so we need different sorts of carers.

All carers are required to have the same checks and assessments. You will receive the same initial training but it doesn't stop there, you will be linked into support groups with other carers in the same position to share the ups and downs that will inevitably be experienced. The young person will continue to have their social worker visiting them and you will also have your own worker with you throughout the placement. In addition there will be others who can be called on to offer help or advice.

If this is the age and sort of fostering you are interested in, very careful consideration is given to matching you up to the young person. You would hear about their history from their social worker before deciding whether to go further.
If you and the social worker decide you would wish to meet the young person then this is put to the Fostering Panel. The Fostering Panel also has responsibility for approving foster carers. If this is agreed plans are made for you to meet and introductions are taken to try to ensure that it is right for everyone.

Taking a young person at this age with many difficult experiences is not easy, you will need to have a good sense of humour, patience and endurance! But there will be good times along the way even with the most difficult placements and you will be offering that young person the opportunity for consistent and safe, care and support.