Can a foster placement become long term?

A foster placement may be planned as long term when the child’s care plan indicates that returning to their birth family is unlikely, or that remaining with one foster family is the most suitable arrangement throughout their childhood. This is decided by the local authority and other professionals involved in the child’s care, not by the foster carer alone.

Long-term fostering can provide continuity of home, school, relationships and routines. It may last for several years, potentially until the young person reaches adulthood, although the expected duration will depend on the child’s circumstances and care plan. A long-term arrangement is not the same as adoption: the child remains looked after, and the local authority continues to oversee their care. The child’s parents may also retain parental responsibility, depending on the legal orders in place.

Before a long-term match is agreed, professionals consider whether the placement can meet the child’s needs over time. This assessment may include:

• the child’s age, personality, identity, culture, religion and experiences
• their health, education, development and emotional needs
• the relationships they need to maintain with parents, siblings or other important people
• the foster family’s experience, household circumstances, skills and ability to provide consistent care
• practical matters such as school, travel, bedrooms and arrangements for family time.

Foster carers are involved in discussions about a proposed match and should be given relevant information before deciding whether they can care for the child. This is an important opportunity to ask about the child’s history, current needs, expected contact arrangements, likely challenges and the support available. A careful match is intended to give the placement the best possible foundation, but it cannot remove the possibility that circumstances will change.

During a long-term placement, the foster carer provides day-to-day care while working with the child’s social worker, school, health professionals and family members where appropriate. The carer may contribute to reviews, meetings and decisions about the child’s routines, education and activities. The authority given to a foster carer to make everyday decisions is explained during the placement, as some significant decisions may still need to be made by the local authority or someone with parental responsibility.

Long term does not mean that the placement is never reviewed. The child’s care plan, progress, relationships and needs continue to be considered through statutory reviews and the fostering service’s supervision and monitoring arrangements. Reviews can identify whether the current support remains suitable, whether the care plan needs updating, and whether additional training or practical help would benefit the child or carer.

A placement may alter or end if the child’s needs change, their care plan changes, they return to their birth family, move to another permanent arrangement, or the foster family can no longer meet their needs. If a young person remains fostered as they approach adulthood, planning should begin for the transition to independence. This can include preparation for education, work, accommodation, finances, health and continued relationships, with the precise arrangements depending on the young person’s circumstances.

Foster carers receive ongoing guidance, supervision and training to help them manage the responsibilities of a long-term placement. They should also be told how to access support if behaviour, contact arrangements, family circumstances or the child’s emotional needs become more difficult. Fostering allowances are intended to contribute towards the costs of caring for a child, with the amount depending on the fostering service and the child’s needs.

When considering a long-term placement, it is sensible to think beyond the initial matching process. Discuss how you would support the child’s identity and important relationships, manage changes in behaviour or health, work with professionals, and prepare them for adulthood. Your assessing social worker or fostering team can explain the specific expectations, approval requirements, training and support that would apply to your household.