Fostering And Adoption: What’s The Difference?

There are many subtle differences between fostering a child and adopting one, but the principle is the same; you are bringing a child into your home and family to provide love, care, and support.

If you are considering becoming a foster parent or adopting a child, you may be struggling to decide which is the best path for you to take for you and your family. Read this quick guide to find out more about both fostering and adoption and help you choose which is best for you.

The Processes Are Similar

Both fostering and adoption follow similar processes to assess your capabilities as a potential parent and to help match a child in need with your family and home.

The demand for foster homes for children plays a role in the process of fostering. There are thousands of children in social care today in need of a foster home to provide them with the stability and care they need. Sadly, there are not enough foster carers for all the children who need one.

The lack of potential foster families means local authorities and foster agencies are working hard to find placements for children by speeding up the process and making more support and training available to potential foster parents.

Adoption Takes A Lot Of Time

Most people who want to adopt a child will spend a long time waiting. A huge amount of care is taken when matching adoptive parents with a child, especially if the child has specific needs or has had trouble settling in homes in the past.

Adopting a child is a long-term commitment. Though you may foster a child for a long period of time, perhaps to adulthood, adoption brings a child into a family for life. The adoption process also comes with some financial costs that you should be prepared for.

The emotional, legal, and social toll an unsuccessful adoption can cause a child and their adoptive family is huge. Adoption authorities take a great amount of care to ensure that a family is ready to adopt a child and has the resources and skills in place to make a lasting commitment.

Foster Families Receive Extra Support

Whether you are considering fostering a child or adopting one, there is a lot of support available from local authorities and charities. If you are fostering a child, a foster agency can provide ongoing support both before and after a child placement, and help you learn the skills you will need.

To find out more, check out sites like thefca.co.uk where you will find plenty of support and resources that can help you to navigate the fostering process. You can even embark on training that can help prepare you for fostering a child.

The gift of a loving and stable home is the greatest gift you can give a child. So many of us take this simple thing for granted, but every child deserves love, support, and respect. Whether you adopt or foster, you are giving a child a better chance in life and helping them to feel valued. Start the process today.