Fostering and adoption

This information provides a  brief outline of what adoption and fostering is, and just what it entails.  We strongly recommend that you visit the Cheshire County Council Fostering and Adoption Service website (external link)  for further details.

Adoption

What is adoption?

Adoption is a way of providing a new permanent family for a child not able to be brought up by either of their birth parents. There are many reasons why this might happen, but adoption by a new family allows the child to enjoy a more secure and loving environment. All of the responsibilities you'd have as a natural parent are transferred to you as the adoptive parents by a court order, giving you, and more importantly you're adopted child, the same rights as any other family.

How does it work?

A Local Authority essentially acts as an adoption agency and is legally allowed to arrange adoptions.  The authority responsible for adoptions in the Chester District is Cheshire County Council and the Cheshire Fostering and Adoption Service which can be contacted via their website at http://www.adoptionincheshire.co.uk/  (external link) or on 01244 602222.

Who can adopt?

If you have any questions about your suitability to adopt, please contact the Cheshire Fostering and Adoption Service can be contacted via their website at http://www.adoptionincheshire.co.uk/ (external Link) or on 01244 602222

More adoption information

• British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering (external link)
• After Adoption (external link)
• National Organisation for Counselling of Adoptees and their Parents, (NORCAP). (external link)
• Adoption Information Line (external link)
• Adoption Matters (external link)

Fostering

What is fostering?

Fostering is where people provide a caring and safe environment in their own home for children and young people, including those who have disabilities and/or challenging behaviour. This can be done on a full or part-time basis and ranges from day or weekend care to a few months or even a permanent basis.

Foster parents may care for may different types of children for any number of reasons:

• Teenagers - Helping them to prepare for adult life, grow in self-confidence and plan for the future, your reward will be their development, friendship and trust. 
• Disabled children - Children with physical or learning disabilities, sensory impairment or a combination of special needs, require extra special love, care and attention. 
• Short Break  - This involves having disabled children to stay with you for a short time so that their families can have a regular break and the children can make new friends and broaden their horizons with you. From a few hours each week to a weekend a month, for planned breaks and sometimes in an emergency, you can provide help and support to many families. 
• Large Groups of Brothers and Sisters - Staying together is very important to children who have had changes in their lives. They need the security and comfort of each other as much as they need you. We always need people to take on groups of brothers and sisters, and if this type of care appeals to you, you might find yourself caring for two, three, four ­ or even more children.
• Mother and baby  - You may feel able to help some mothers who need support and security and people who can teach and encourage them without taking over their responsibilities as mothers. Fostering offers carers many different opportunities to make a difference in a child's life.

 

For more information on fostering and foster care why not visit the most popular fostering internet site in the UK -  http://www.fosteringincheshire.co.uk/ (external link)

Different types of fostering

There are two different types of fostering:

• Short term Fostering - emphasises that the child will one day move on, either back to parents or on to a long term foster placement.
• Intermediate Fostering - Sometimes children are unable to return home within three months. They may need to be looked after for up to two years. This is a more significant period of care for a child and it will be important for you to help them maintain links with their family.
• Long Term Fostering -  used by Social Workers to describe the needs of children for whom Social Services must find alternative families for the duration of childhood.

Who can foster?

If you have any questions about your suitability to foster, please contact the Cheshire Fostering and Adoption Service which can be contacted via their website at http://www.adoptionincheshire.co.uk/ (external Link) or on 01244 602222

Private Fostering

If a child aged under 16 years (or under 18 years if they have a learning disability) goes to live with people who are not related to them for 28 days or more, this is known as "private fostering", and special rules apply. If you are looking after a child and think you could be a private foster carer, or you are the parent of a child in this situation, you must inform Social Services.

More fostering information

• Fostering Network  (external link)
• Adoption and Fostering Information Line  (external link)