Still waiting for a caring family

Children who cannot be cared for by their parents or family may need to be looked after by Bedfordshire Social Services. This may be for a variety of reasons:-

• their parents are unable to care for them
• the child needs care and attention
• the child may be in trouble with the police
• the child may have disabilities or special needs and their parents need a break

When this happens we seek to place these children in foster care. Usually children will return to their family but sometimes this is not possible and a decision will be made to find a permanent new family for a child, possibly through adoption.

Children who are unable to return to the care of their birth parents need to be placed with carers that can offer them a permanent home. Carers that apply to court to become the child's legal parents are known as adopters, whilst foster carers that care for a child until they reach adulthood or move into independence are known as permanent carers. In both cases potential carers need to demonstrate that they are physically fit and able to meet the child's needs until they reach adulthood.

Foster carers are as varied as the work itself. They can be single, married or an unmarried couple. They come from all walks of life and they may or may not have children of their own. The most important thing is that they have the ability to help children who are in need.

The local authority has a duty to make sure that all the placements they make for children are safe. Before you can become a foster carer, important checks are made with the health authority, police, local authority, department of health and independent referees. A comprehensive assessment is carried out by a qualified social worker.

As part of the assessment you will be able to ask us questions about fostering so that you can decide if you and your family want to foster children. If you have children of your own it is important that you talk to them about fostering.
It is a way of life for the whole family, not just the adults.

During the assessment, you and your family can decide on the type of fostering you wish to do and the ages of the children that you think you are most suited to.

When your assessment is completed it is presented to the Foster Panel. This is the body that approves foster carers in Bedfordshire. It is made up of officers from Bedfordshire Social Services, Bedfordshire Education Department and the Bedfordshire Health Authority.

There are five different fostering schemes in Bedfordshire

Family Link

This scheme offers respite care to children of all ages, who have a disability, either functional or physical. We need foster carers who could care for a child in their own home, the child's home or by taking the child to an activity. We need people who can commit a weekend a month, a day or fortnight, or even a few hours a week on a regular basis. Children are matched to carers taking into account their needs and the carer's abilities.

Respite care

A scheme offering respite to families. This scheme is similar to Family Link but provides a service for families whose children do not have disabilities.

 

Short-term fostering

This offers children of all ages placements for up to a year. Occasionally bridging placements are required until a permanent family can be found. This can take up to two years. Placements are usually planned, but are sometimes made as emergencies. You can decide which age group you would like to care for and how long you feel your family could look after a child.

 

Long-term fostering

Foster carers look after children for the rest of their childhood. Fostering a child under the long-term scheme needs very careful thought, preparation and planning.

 

Remand care fostering

For young people who are in serious trouble with the police, this provides an alternative to being remanded in custody. Remand foster carers work closely with our Young Offenders Team, the courts and the police.

 

Do I need a big house?

No, but you need a room suitable for the type of fostering you are doing. Younger children can sometimes share a room, but it is important that they have a space in which they can keep their personal belongings.

 

How will fostering affect my children?

It is important that your children can share their feelings about fostering with you, and that you make it clear to them that their views are important. In Bedfordshire, we run groups for "Children who foster". As well as running enjoyable activities we also provide a forum where children are able to discuss any views they may have.

 

Do I get financial help?

Yes. Allowances are paid every fortnight to cover the expense of looking after a foster child.

 

Do I get support?

Yes. Every foster carer for Bedfordshire County Council receives regular visits from a family placement social worker. Bedfordshire County Council also provides foster carers with an independent advisor and there are support local groups of foster carers that meet regularly to discuss fostering issues and to enjoy social events.

 

Do foster carers get training?

Yes. All foster carers have basic training before they start fostering. This usually takes place over two Saturdays.

After you have started fostering, several training courses are available. Covering topics such as "The Children Act" and "Managing Behaviour". Some of these lead to recognised qualifications.

All kinds of people are needed to adopt children. However every agency has requirements that prospective adopters must satisfy. It is important to ensure that adopters enjoy good physical and mental health and will be able to bring up an adopted child to maturity. We welcome applications from married couples and single individuals from all social and religious groups.

However we require that

• you live in the United Kingdom
• you can show you do not have any serious convictions or any convictions involving children
• you are at least 21 years old
• you will remain subject to the overriding requirement that you are able to meet the needs of the child who would otherwise remain in the care of the local authority
• you must understand that approval as prospective adopters does not guarantee the placement of a child

What sort of child could I adopt?

The number of babies seeking a permanent family has decreased dramatically in recent years. However we are seeking adopters and permanent carers for children of all ages, either singly or in sibling groups, as well as children with physical and learning disabilities.Do I receive payment?

In some circumstances an adoption allowance is paid. For permanent carers a foster care allowance is paid.

How do I become an adopter?

We are seeking adopters who can meet the needs of the children in our care. We encourage a prospective adopter to consider whether adoption is right for them and their particular family circumstances. Naturally this takes time and the process to be approved as an adopter or permanent carer is a long and challenging one.

 

What processes are involved?

You will be introduced to staff from our adoption and family finding team. They will look at your suitability to care for a child and will also be able to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Together with you, they will look at your background, significant life events and discuss with you what sort of child you hope to adopt. References are taken up and several checks made. Based on these, and the information gathered through meetings and interviews, a report is produced and presented to the County Adoption Panel. This is made up of social workers, county councillors and independent members. The Panel will consider the report and then make a recommendation to the Adoption Agency who make the final decision on whether or not you can adopt a child.

 

How do I get access to information regarding the child I wish to adopt?

One of the functions of the Adoption Agency is to make a thorough study of each child. This includes a complete physical examination, gathering information on the child's background, their family health, their appearance, skills, achievements and the reasons why the child is being placed for adoption.There are three reasons for a careful study

1. So that the agency will know the child well enough to select a family able to meet their needs
2. So that prospective adopters can be given as much information as possible about the child before deciding to make them a member of their family
3. So that an adopted child will have the information they need about their origins.

We give the information to adopters so that they can pass it on to the child gradually at appropriate times as he or she grows up. When a child reaches 18, they are legally entitled, if they wish, to get a copy of their original birth certificate and make further enquiries concerning their original family.

What happens if I have been approved as an adoptive parent?

As part of the approval process, following initial interviews, we will spend a lot of time with you to help you to prepare to become an adoptive parent. This can take up to six months and in some cases may take longer. You will be invited to attend a preparation course during this time. Once a child is placed with you we will continue to provide help and support. Our Post Adoption Co-ordinator is responsible for the ongoing development of this service.

If you want to apply to become a foster carer or an adoptive parent, or find out more about fostering and adoption in Bedfordshire, please telephone 0800 218 2002.

If you require this information in a different format or language please call the Communications Unit on (01234) 363222