Support when transitioning from fostering to adoption

If you are considering fostering, or are already involved in the endeavour, you may be wondering if you can adopt a child out of foster care and what support is available.

Beacon Fostering seeks to advise and support foster carers when looking after children in need and provide direction towards useful resources. Here is what you should know about finding support when adopting a child in foster care.

Talks with the fostering agency

Your fostering agency will offer information on what adopting a child out of foster care entails, and how it differs from fostering. While fostered and adopted children often share similar experiences prior to entering the care system, there are some key differences in fostering and adopting that the agency will inform you of.

Firstly, fostering is usually a temporary arrangement for the child to live somewhere else until they can return to their biological families, whereas adoption is a permanent arrangement where the carer has full guardianship and responsibility over the child.

Talk to your agency and social worker if you are considering adopting a foster child, so they can provide you with an insight into the adoption requirements and process.

Local and national charities and agencies

There are information events up and down the country that provide information on adoption, both in person and via video calls. Adoption agencies and charities also have information on their websites on topics such as housing support, counselling and grants for education and caring for adopted children with disabilities.