NAFP briefings

Permanency aims to provide security for a child through to adulthood, as all children and young people benefit from living in a predictable and stable environment with as much certainty as possible. A permanent foster placement provides a child with a fundamental commitment from the carers to the child for the rest of their childhood and the opportunity to:

Making future plans and the right decisions for children should always involve close co-operation and communication between the whole team; especially when different organisations or even sectors are involved. Most importantly, the focus should always be on meeting the immediate and long-term needs of particular children. This paper supports these aims by providing information about the background and current use of long-term fostering and Special Guardianship, as well as identifying some areas of concern for the independent sector. It will then go on to recommend how independent fostering providers and local authorities should work together – making sure that the best interests of children and young people shape this process, as well as the decision making.