Waltham Forest has a number of children who need to be cared for outside of their family on a long term basis. These children are usually older and need to maintain a significant link with their families which means that adoption would not be right for them.
Permanent foster carers can offer a child security, stability and consistency as well as loving care until he or she reaches adulthood and beyond. The carers need to work in partnership with social services as they continue to be legally responsible for the child. This means liaising with social workers on a regular basis and to be working together helping the child reach their full potential. Carers are supported in their role by having their own link social worker.
These children will usually have direct contact with their family. This could be with their parents, siblings and/or other relatives or other significant people. The children need a lot of support from their foster carers during these times as often such meetings can arouse some complex feelings for the child.
Children who need to be permanently fostered need to both feel included as a full member of the foster carers family as well as maintain some link with their birth family.
It can be extremely rewarding to care for a child through permanent fostering: helping the child develop to his or her full potential as well as helping them manage the balance of being part of two families.
How to proceed
To become a permanent foster carer you will need to be assessed in a similar way to those wishing to adopt. This involves undergoing health, police and local authority checks as well as attending preparation training. You will also meet with your social worker to complete a home study assessment report.
This reflects on a number of areas including your own background and what kinds of children you would be best suited to care for.
To learn more about permanent fostering you can contact the Adoption and Permanency Team Duty Social Worker on 0208 496 1588
Contact Us
Fostering and Adoption Service
London Borough
of Waltham Forest
1C The Drive
Walthamstow E17 3BN
Tel
020 8496 3000, or
Direct line to Adoption Service on 020 8496 1588
Direct
line to Fostering Service on 020 8496 2479
