What is Early Permanence?

Early Permanence is a route to adoption which involves a child being placed with prospective adopters who are temporarily approved as the child’s Foster Carers. This enables children to be cared for at the earliest opportunity by those who may become their adoptive parents whilst final decisions are being made about the child’s long-term future. Whilst Early Permanence is often associated with babies and very young children, it is also an option for older children and sibling groups.

Early Permanence Carers are required to work with the Fostering Service of the Local Authority for the child whilst the Family Court decides what is the best long-term care arrangement for the child. The Court will take time to determine whether the child can be safely returned to the care of their birth family or, where it is decided this is not possible, whether the child should be adopted. If a decision is made that the child’s needs would best be met by being adopted and the child is in Early Permanence Care, then the child does not have to move. This means that the child will not experience additional loss that typically occurs when a child moves from Foster Care. Early Permanence can therefore lay the foundations for improved health and emotional wellbeing of the child.

Like all routes to adoption, Early Permanence has some uncertainty. It is a route that isn’t suitable for every prospective adopter and our Social Workers will discuss and explore the option of Early Permanence during the assessment process. Additionally, the benefits and challenges of Early Permanence are fully explored during specific Early Permanence training that is offered by Adopt North East. This two-day training also provides an in depth look at the role and expectations of prospective adopters during the Fostering phase.

Jayne and her partner started their Early Permanence journey when their child was just days old. Listen to her story here.

Advantages for the child of Early Permanence Care

· Early Permanence places the child at the centre of decision-making

·  The child will benefit from stability and continuity of care from the earliest possible stage, avoiding the possibility of having to move and changes in carers

·  Early Permanence enables the child to be placed with their carers at an earlier stage than conventional adoption, allowing for earlier bonds to the carers to be formed

· Research suggests that fewer moves and carers for children reduces the impact on their developmental and emotional wellbeing 

Advantages of becoming an Early Permanence Carer

· As an Early Permanence Carer, you can provide love and care to a child at a time of their life when they need to be separated from their parents and wider family due to concerns about their safety. Regardless of the final outcome for the child, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you have played an important part in the child’s life story. 

·  You will get to know a child sooner and if the child’s plan becomes one of adoption, you will already have an established bond on which to build

· You will share earlier lived experiences with the child than conventional adoption. 

· Some Early Permanence Carers are able to care for very young babies, including newborn children. If this was right for you, it means you will be part of the child’s journey from the very beginning.

· Early Permanence Carers may get to know the birth family of a child in their care through 'family time' contact sessions. This will give a better and more rounded understanding of the child’s birth family and history. As a result, you will be able to talk more meaningfully with your adopted child about their birth family and offer them real insight into their early experiences. 

·  Some Early Permanence arrangements can lead to, where appropriate, meaningful relationships between the adopters and the child’s birth family in the child’s best interests

Challenges of becoming an Early Permanence Carer

Being an Early Permanence Carer does not suit all prospective adopters. Adopt North East will work with you to come to the right decision. There will be a number of things that you will need to consider: 

· Like all prospective adopters, you will need to be emotionally resilient, flexible and be able to manage uncertainty. 

· Like all adopted children, there may be some uncertainties around their health and development due to their young age. However, for some children in Early Permanence Care there may be less information known about the child at the point of placement.

· Like all prospective adopters, you will need to be able to work with professionals and attend / be available for regular meetings and visits to your home. However, for most Early Permanence Care, there is likely to be a higher number of meetings and visits because planning for the child is ongoing.

· You will need able to be part of the arrangements to enable the child to spend time with their birth family until the court makes its final decision about whether the child should be adopted. This can include transporting the child to and from a contact or, with support, being present during these contacts

· As an Early Permanence Carer, there is a period of time when you will be the Foster Carer for the child and not ‘Mam or Dad'. Being a Foster Carer is a distinct role with some specific responsibilities to the Local Authority. You will however be fully supported to fulfil this role and have a dedicated Fostering Social Worker

· You will be caring for the child whilst decisions about the child’s future are determined. Given the importance of making the best possible decision for the child, these decisions take time. The length of time that things remain uncertain can be tough.

· Rarely, the court will decide that it is in the child’s best interests to return to their birth parents or to be cared for by someone in their extended family rather than be adopted. This means that the child will need to move from your care. This is often the emotionally toughest outcome for Early Permanence Carers. Whilst undoubtedly wanting the best for the child, it means that there is not the opportunity for you to adopt the child. It is therefore important that have strong support and the emotional resilience and strength to manage such an outcome.