Early Permanence carers urgently needed

With a growing number of young babies with a plan of adoption, we need more adopters who have also been approved as Early Permanence carers.

Early Permanence means that you could potentially care for a baby from birth helping to reduce the moves they have to make and promoting secure attachment.

What is Early Permanence?

We know from research and experience that it is beneficial to minimise the amount of moves a baby makes around the care system.  Early Permanence places a baby with foster carers who are also approved as adopters, sometimes even straight after they have been born. If the court agrees that the baby should be adopted then they will make a legal order which is called a Placement Order. The adoption agency then approves the ‘match’ between the adopters and the baby and the baby remains in the same home.

What are the benefits of Early Permanence?

Early Permanence provides children with good quality, uninterrupted and consistent care whilst the court decides on the plan for the baby. Consistent care for the baby reduces possible future harm and supports them in developing healthy attachments.

Carers who adopt through Early Permanence get to know and love their children from a very young age, often from birth, and help them through the time in their life when they are most vulnerable, this is something that may not always be possible with traditional adoption.

Early Permanence carers have the immense satisfaction of providing stability and security for the baby at their early stage of development, with the possibility that they may become their legally adopted child, if agreed by the court.

EP carers to get to know the child’s birth family through caring for the child whilst the parents are still involved and possibly through contact sessions. This can then form the basis for meaningful contact in the future if all parties agree.  Getting to know the birth family can be very important for the child in later life offering them real insight into their background. Carers will also develop a better understanding of the difficulties that the parents have faced which will be immensely valuable when sharing information with their child as they get older.

If a baby does return home to live with birth family, carers will have the satisfaction of knowing that they have given the baby the best possible start in life by providing care, love and stability from the earliest stages and will play a part in helping them settle back into their family. Likewise, if the carers go on to adopt the child, the birth family will take comfort that they have met the family who is going to care for their child and they will know they are safe, loved and well cared for.

Interested in finding out more?

Why not book on to our next You Can Adopt Information Event? Should you decide to apply to be an adopter, we offer comprehensive training, support and advice to help you decide firstly whether Early Permanence is for you and secondly to ensure that you are fully prepared.