When children are taken into care, either voluntarily or through an application by the local authority for a care order, Early Permanence placements (otherwise known as ‘Foster to Adopt’) are considered when adoption looks to be the best option for the babies and young children in care. However, there is still a chance that they will be finally placed back within their birth family. Our adoption specialist, Sue Pryse-Davies explains the process of Early Permanence as a route to adopt, and its advantages.
An Early Permanence placement is suitable for looked after children who are usually under two years of age when the local authority thinks adoption to be the most likely outcome. During care proceedings, the child or children are placed with carers who have been approved not only as foster carers, but also as prospective adopters.
Advantages of Early Permanence
The advantage of Early Permanence is that it helps offer stability for the child at an early stage, avoiding multiple placements and the upheaval of moving from a foster home to a new adoptive family once the court has reached a final decision. It also means that the bonding period between the child and adoptive parents can begin sooner, which helps create a secure and loving family life for the child.
Many children considered for Early Permanence placements are likely to later be adopted, but this is not a certain outcome. Care proceedings can be long and complex, and it can be stressful as you await the outcome. So, if you choose to foster to adopt, there is a good chance that you will go on to become their permanent, adoptive parent or parents, but you must know and deal with the fact that it isn’t guaranteed.
The Early Permanence placement process
If you think that an Early Permanence placement could be the right route for you to adopt, you would need to be approved as both an adopter and as a foster carer. To help you deal with the uncertainty about the future while awaiting the court’s final decision, you would also be given additional training, preparation, and support.
How do children come into care?
The children who would be placed with you come into care in two ways. Some parents accept that they are not able to care for their baby or young child. This is because of their own personal circumstances and their belief that the future for the baby would be precarious if they remain with them, so they voluntarily relinquish the child to an adoption agency/local authority and the child is usually eventually adopted.
More recently, however, most children who are adopted have come through the court system after the local authority has intervened in their family’s life. This intervention has happened on the basis that the child has suffered significant harm or is likely to suffer significant harm. This is often a result of negligence, a serious incident, or a series of abusive incidents. The parents often have a history of drug or alcohol issues. When babies are removed from their parents before any actual harm has occurred, it is often because previous children have been taken into care and placed with either other family members or have been adopted, and the parents’ circumstances have not changed. This is particularly the case if there have been very recent proceedings concerning the older child(ren) and there had been no family members who could care, or they are unable to look after any more children. If this happens, an early permanence placement may be considered.
Residential Assessment and Alternative Carers
The local authority must do what they can to keep the child with their family. It is common for babies to be placed with their mother (and sometimes both parents or just the father) in a residential assessment unit. At the same time, the family put forward alternative carers, which can include friends as well as relatives, and they are assessed alongside the parents.
If the residential assessment breaks down because the risk to the child is seen to be too high, the parent just cannot cope, or there is no apparent viable family placement, the local authority may propose a care plan with the child(ren) going to an early permanence placement. Sometimes the residential assessment runs to its end, but the assessment is negative, and there is a recommendation for separation. If the court sanctions this, there may again be consideration of an early permanence placement. So, at each stage, there is consideration of what is best for the child as well as further consideration for Early Permanence.
Is an Early Permanence placement final?
No. If there is at any time an early permanence placement, the placement is legally just a foster placement. The fact is, “foster to adopt” carers cannot and will not affect the outcome of the case. Sometimes parents or family members are re-assessed, or family members are identified late in the proceedings. This is because, before a court can make a final care order and a placement order, which allows the authority to place a child for adoption, it must be established that there is no other option available. The test is sometimes referred to as “nothing else to do”. This can lead to the conclusion of proceedings being further delayed, which, of course, causes more uncertainty, and only limited information will be given to you. If you are in this position, you should seek the support that will be offered. A re-assessment does not mean that the child will not eventually be placed for adoption.
Once a placement order is made, the local authority can then formally place the child for adoption with the carers, and the usual adoption process then takes place.
How can we help you with Adoption?
If you decide to adopt a child, having expert legal advice is key. Amphlett Lissimore can guide and support you through proceedings as part of your adoption team. If you would like to learn more about our Adoption services or book an appointment, please visit our Adoption service page.
