Can temporary infant foster care become a long-term placement?

Temporary infant foster care may develop into a long-term fostering arrangement when returning the child to their parents or another planned carer is no longer considered suitable, and a permanent move would best meet the child’s needs. The change involves a fresh assessment of the care plan rather than simply extending the original temporary arrangement.

Why might a placement change?

• Assessments of the child’s parents may lead to a different recommendation about reunification.
• Family members or other potential carers may be assessed and found unable to provide the care required.
• The child may form an important attachment to the foster family, with professionals considering whether remaining there would provide greater stability.
• The child’s health, development, contact arrangements or other needs may change over time.
• Legal proceedings may result in a revised plan for the child’s future.

A long-term plan is based on the child’s welfare and permanence needs. Professionals will consider the child’s relationships, identity, background, routines, health, education and any connection with birth family. For an infant, attachment and the ability to provide consistent, responsive care are particularly important, but they are considered alongside the full circumstances of the case.

What happens if long-term care is being considered?

• The child’s social worker reviews the existing care plan and gathers updated information about the child and their family.
• The foster carers are asked about the placement, the child’s development and the practical impact of continuing to care for them.
• The fostering service considers whether the carers can meet the child’s needs on a longer-term basis, including any changes to their household circumstances, skills, space or support network.
• Alternative plans are considered, including reunification, placement with relatives, adoption or another form of permanence where appropriate.
• The local authority follows its decision-making and review processes before confirming the proposed plan.

Foster carers should receive clear information about the proposed change and have the opportunity to give their views. They may need additional preparation or training, particularly if the infant has emerging health or developmental needs. A long-term arrangement can also require updated agreements covering contact, healthcare, education, finances, delegated authority and the practical responsibilities of everyone involved.

Long-term fostering is different from adoption. Foster carers continue to provide day-to-day care while legal responsibility and the child’s relationships with their birth family depend on the order and care plan in place. Contact may continue, reduce or change, and it must be arranged according to the child’s welfare and the decisions made by the relevant professionals and court.

A change to long-term care is not a guarantee that the child will remain with the same foster family until adulthood. Circumstances can change, so the placement continues to be reviewed. The foster carers’ ability to meet the child’s needs, the child’s wishes as they grow and any changes in family or legal circumstances remain relevant.

If you are caring for an infant and a longer-term arrangement is suggested, discuss the proposal with your supervising social worker and the child’s social worker before making a decision. Ask what has changed, what legal plan is being considered, how contact may work and what support, equipment, training and financial arrangements would apply. Our West Midlands fostering teams can explain how temporary and long-term fostering differ and guide prospective carers through the assessment and support available.