Could you make a difference?
Every year there are around 4,000 children who need adopting in the UK.
Many of these are of school age and over half of them are in groups with siblings who need to be placed together. They come from a wide variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds. They may be disabled or children with special needs. Some of them may have suffered abuse or been neglected and will have spent a (sometimes big) portion of their lives being moved around. This can lead to behavioural issues that can be challenging to say the least.
To be an adoptive parent you will need patience, energy, flexibility and determination but the difference you could make to a life could be immense.
Although you need to be over 21, contrary to a common misconception, there is no upper age limit. However, it should not be underestimated the mental and physical strain adoption puts the parents under. Because of this, a medical examination must be undertaken and any health issues will be explored. This does not mean however that disabled people are excluded from adopting. Often, experience of disability will be viewed positively.
Since the beginning of 2006, single people or one partner in an unmarried couple can apply and being heterosexual, lesbian or gay does not stand as a barrier. The key question an adoption agency will ask is: "Can you provide a stable home for a child until adulthood and beyond?"
If you're thinking of adopting, you will have to go through an agency, a list of which can be found on www.baaf.org.uk as well as answers to many questions you may have.
Other useful sites include:
www.adoptionuk.com
www.adoption.org.uk
www.adoption-net.co.uk
Fostering, unlike adoption, is undertaken on a more temporary basis and the legal responsibilty still lies with the birth parents or the local authority.
It is often used to provide care while parents get help sorting out problems, take a break, or to help children through a difficult period in their lives.
They will often return home once the problems and issues that caused them to come into foster care have been resolved and that it is clear that their parents are able to look after them safely.
Others may stay in long-term foster care and some may go on to be adopted. The time spent in care can range from a few nights or until a youngster moves into independant care.
Foster carers are increasingly seen as professionals and receive an allowance to cover costs while a child is in their care.
As with adoption, people do not need to be married to become a foster family, they can also be single, divorced or cohabiting. Gay men and lesbians can become foster carers.
There are no upper age limits for fostering, but fostering agencies expect people to be mature enough to work with the complex problems that children needing fostering are likely to have, and fit enough to perform this very demanding task.
If you are interested in becoming a foster carer, the first step is to get in touch with your local authority's fostering team or with an agency in your area.
Fostering and Adoption Statistics as of 31/3/2006.
60,300 children were in the care of local authorities.
55% of these were boys, 45% were girls.
2,900 under 1 year old.
8,500 aged between 1 and 4 years old.
11,500 aged between 5 and 9 years old.
26,100 aged between 10 and 15 years old.
11,300 aged 16 and over.
70% were living with foster carers.
11% were living in children's homes (includes secure units, homes, hostels but excluding residential schools).
9% were living with their parents.
5% were placed for adoption.
6% were in other accommodation.
3,200 were unaccompanied asylum seeking children.
980 children were known to be living under private fostering arrangements.
1,100 new private fostering arrangements began and 730 ended during the year ending 31st March 2006.
3,700 children were adopted from care during the year ending 31st March 2006.
190 of children adopted during the year ending 31st March 2006 were under 1 year old.
2,300 were aged between 1 and 4 years old.
900 were aged between 5 and 9 years old.
180 were aged between 10 and 15 years old.
20 were aged 16 and over.
77% children were placed for adoption within 12 months of best interest decision.
Source: BAAF Adoption & Fostering.
