Children and young people who are unable to live with their birth families often require alternative care arrangements to ensure their safety, well-being, and development. These arrangements, referred to as placements, vary based on the needs of the child and the circumstances of their family. Below, we explore the main types of placements available for looked-after children.
1. Fostering
Fostering is one of the most common forms of care for children who cannot remain at home. Foster carers provide a safe and nurturing environment, either on a short-term or long-term basis. There are different types of fostering arrangements, including:
- Emergency fostering for children needing immediate care due to unforeseen circumstances.
- Short-term fostering while decisions are made about the child’s long-term future.
- Long-term fostering for children who cannot return home but are not suitable for adoption.
- Specialist fostering for children with complex needs, such as disabilities or behavioral challenges.
Foster carers are trained and supported to meet the needs of children in their care, offering stability during a turbulent time in the child’s life.
2. Adoption
Adoption provides a permanent family for a child who cannot return to their birth family. Once an adoption order is granted, the adoptive parents become the child’s legal parents, and all legal ties to the birth family are severed. Adoption is often pursued when it is deemed in the child’s best interest to have a stable, lifelong family relationship.
Adoptive families go through a rigorous assessment process to ensure they can provide the love, care, and security a child needs. Adoption offers children the chance to thrive in a safe and loving environment, offering permanence and a sense of belonging.
3. Special Guardianship
Special guardianship allows a child to live with someone other than their parents, such as a relative, friend, or another connected person, without the legal severance of ties to the birth family. The special guardian assumes parental responsibility, but the child retains some legal connection to their birth parents.
This option provides stability for children while preserving their cultural, familial, and emotional ties. It is often chosen when adoption is not appropriate, but long-term care is required.
4. Connected Persons Fostering
Connected persons fostering, also known as kinship care, involves placing a child with a relative or close family friend who becomes a foster carer. This type of placement is preferred where possible, as it allows children to remain with someone familiar, helping maintain a sense of continuity and security.
Connected persons fostering requires the carer to undergo the same approval process as other foster carers, ensuring they can meet the needs of the child while being supported by the fostering service.
5. Supportive Lodgings
Supportive lodgings are an option for older teenagers and young adults transitioning out of the care system. These placements provide a semi-independent living arrangement where the young person has their own space but receives support and guidance from a host or carer.
The goal of supportive lodgings is to help young people develop the skills and confidence needed to live independently, such as managing finances, cooking, and navigating adult responsibilities.
6. Mother and Baby Placements
Mother and baby placements are designed for young mothers (or expectant mothers) who need support to care for their child. These placements involve both the mother and baby living with a foster carer who offers guidance and practical help to develop parenting skills.
The focus is on empowering the mother to care for her baby independently while ensuring the child’s safety and well-being. These placements can be critical in helping young families stay together and thrive.
The Importance of Tailored Placements
Every child in the care system has unique needs and circumstances. By offering a range of placements, local authorities and fostering agencies aim to provide the best possible environment for each child. Whether through fostering, adoption, or connected persons arrangements, the ultimate goal is to ensure every child has a safe, stable, and loving environment in which to grow.
If you are interested in learning more about any of these placement options or considering becoming a carer or adopter, contact your local fostering or adoption agency for more information. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children and young people.