The difference between adoption and fostering

Adoption and fostering are different. When people adopt a child they become the full, legal parents of that child. Fostering is usually a short-term arrangement in which the child remains the legal responsibility of the local authority and/or the birth parents. Most children in care are fostered for short periods of time and eventually return to their birth parents. Where children will not be able to return to their birth family, the local authority will look into alternatives such as adoption. Some children need permanent foster care when adoption is not appropriate for them. This can be for all sorts of reasons to do with their specific needs.

Follow this link if you’d like to know more about fostering in Richmond.