Early Permanence
What is Early Permanence or Fostering for Adoption?
Early Permanence or Fostering for Adoption offers children the opportunity to be placed with a family who might become their adoptive family from an earlier point.
This means that once applicants are approved as adopters, if they are able to offer Fostering for Adoption as well as straight forward adoption, they can be considered for children where the final decisions haven’t been made yet and the plan is still being considered by a Judge. If they are linked with a child who needs this kind of placement, they will be temporarily approved as foster carers for that child until a final decision is made by the Court about what should happen. If the Judge agrees that the plan should be adoption, the Fostering for Adoption carers can then become the child’s adoptive parents in most cases.
This route means that children experience less moves, less loss and more stability. Fostering for Adoption carers get to know a child from earlier in the process and reduce the trauma they experience.
What support and training is on offer to Early Permanence carers?
All applicants do some level of training about Early Permanence during their assessment and your Social Worker will talk to you about whether Early Permanence is right for you. Your Social Worker may also be able to put you in touch with an experienced Early Permanence carer so that you can hear all about what it’s like.
If you do go on to become a Fostering for Adoption carer, you will be paid as a Foster Carer, whilst also receiving adoption pay from your employer (if you’re entitled to it). Your adoption leave will start when a child is placed with you. You will continue to be supported by your adoption Social Worker and you will also have a specialist fostering Social Worker to support you in your professional role. You will have the opportunity to attend training for adopters through Adoption Counts and also training for Foster Carers through the child’s Local Authority. You will also be invited to attend our monthly online peer support sessions for people wanting to offer Early Permanence and those currently offering it.
