The Role of Fostering for Adoption in Achieving Early Permanence for Children

For children unable to live with their birth family, there are a number of permanence options for social work practitioners to consider, including Fostering for Adoption (FfA), available in England and Wales. This practice guide considers its effect on the landscape of permanence planning, and on the children, carers and practitioners involved. Who are the children being placed? How have agencies and carers managed the complexities of this option? And can we identify best practice that has evolved in this field?

FfA is designed to reduce the number of moves a child may experience prior to being permanently placed, and to enable significantly earlier attachments between children and permanent carers. However, it can be complex and, like concurrent planning, needs careful thought and organisation.

This guide identifies a range of practice developed by local authorities and VAAs in their use of FfA. It is amply illustrated with case examples of good practice from agencies, and insightful quotes from those who have adopted via this route. A comprehensive range of tools and proformas, covering every stage of the process, is included in the appendices for agencies to integrate into their own services. This authoritative guide will be of immense help to all those involved in permanence planning, whether in agencies looking to increase their use of FfA, improve their practice, or simply ensure that their work properly reflects the best option for the child.

This guide is for practitioners, social workers, foster carers, adopters, panel members and policy-makers.

Read the contents page and introduction

AVAILABLE IN EBOOK AND HARD COPY

Questions about eBooks? Check out our FAQs