Are you currently fostering and thinking about adoption? Perhaps you want are looking after a foster child long term and thinking about adopting the child. There are number of things you need to consider.
It is important to get a grasp of the regulations and know about the relevant acts when looking after a child such as the Children and Social Work Act 2017 which (the Act) is intended to improve support for looked after children and care leavers, promote the welfare and safeguarding of children, and make provisions about the regulation of social workers. There are specific regulations specified on the legislation.gov.uk website which outline the aspects of adherence to the Children and Social Work Acts as follows:
Corporate parenting principles
(1) A local authority in England must, in carrying out functions in relation to the children and young people mentioned in subsection (2), have regard to the need—
a) to act in the best interests, and promote the physical and mental health and well-being, of those children and young people;
(b)to encourage those children and young people to express their views, wishes and feelings;
(c)to take into account the views, wishes and feelings of those children and young people;
(d)to help those children and young people gain access to, and make the best use of, services provided by the local authority and its relevant partners;
(e)to promote high aspirations, and seek to secure the best outcomes, for those children and young people;
(f)for those children and young people to be safe, and for stability in their home lives, relationships and education or work;
(g)to prepare those children and young people for adulthood and independent living.
It is important for any foster carer or potential adoptive parent to familiarise themselves with the literature available both on the above website and through fostering sites that can give a better understanding about the requirements, eligibility and official application process that fostering entails.
You can find out more about fostering and adoption policies here: https://www.gov.uk/browse/childcare-parenting/fostering-adoption-surrogacy
