Long term foster care differs from adoption in that the child/ young person’s carers never gain parental responsibility. In long-term foster care, the child/ young person remains under the care of the local authority, who shares parental responsibility with the birth parents. Fostering regulations apply throughout the time they are living with you.

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Sometimes a child/ young person requires a long term placement from the point they are received into care. In these cases, a ‘match’ with foster carers, who it is felt can meet that child/ young person’s needs, is identified at the outset.

 

In other cases a child/ young person may be placed as a short-term placement, and the Care Plan then becomes long term, if the child/ young person, foster carers, the placing authority and ALL4U Fostering agree that this is a good option for that child/ young person.

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As a long term foster carer you will be able to see the child/ young person in your care flourish into a young adult – the rewards gained from this are tremendous. As their foster carer you will build a strong relationship with the child/ young person as you guide them through their childhood, and you will meet the challenges they face along the way together.