Early permanence

How it helps

Early Permanence aims to place children with prospective adopters on a foster carer basis while the courts are still considering whether they can safely return to their birth parents or whether adoption is better for their stability and safety. 

Having multiple homes and different carers can be unsettling for children. Early permanence aims to limit the number of moves and feelings of uncertainty that many children in care experience by providing them with stability as early as possible.

How does it work?

Approved adopters or foster carers are matched with a child or children who have been removed from their family and whose long-term care plan is still being decided upon. 

Once a court decision is made they will either be adopted by the people who have been caring for them, or return to their birth parents or extended family members if the court decides it is safe to do so.

What are the advantages?

We know that delays and multiple placements are linked to poorer developmental outcomes for children. Early permanence can minimise placement moves in care and enable early permanence carers to form a secure attachment with a child at the earliest opportunity.

It also offers the opportunity for early permanence carers to build meaningful relationships with birth family members through regular meetings during family time.

What if the court decides the child should return to their birth family?

Most children go on to be adopted but some will return to the care of their birth parents or extended family.

It can be difficult for early permanence carers if this happens, but it’s important to remember that all decisions are made with the child’s best interests in mind, and early permanence carers are prepared and supported for this as a possible outcome.