The difference between adoption and fostering
Adoption differs from fostering in a number of ways
Please see below for more information on what adoption and fostering both involve. You may also want to read about special guardianship. Still confused by any of the terms we use? Have a look at our glossary.
If you are still unsure whether you are more suited to adoption or fostering, why not give your local agency a call for further discussion? Their teams are skilled at identifying potential carers’ strengths, limitations and areas for development, and will help you to decide on the best option.
What is adoption?
Adoption is a legal process, with a court permanently transferring all parental rights and responsibilities for the child to their new family. The child becomes part of the adoptive family, as if they had been born into it, even taking their surname. Adoption has significant legal, emotional, psychological and social consequences for everyone involved: it is a life-changing moment and cause for both celebration and sadness.
What is fostering?
Fostering is a way of providing family life for someone else’s child, when they are unable to live in their birth family - with the expectation that most will hopefully return home.
Where this is not possible, the local authority will look at alternatives, such as the child being cared for by other relatives, or possibly adoption or permanent fostering.
Unlike adoption, a fostered child remains the legal responsibility of the local authority and/or their birth parents. The only exception to this is in Scotland, for permanent foster carers.
Types of foster care
There are many different types of foster care to meet the varying needs of children in the care system. Some foster carers will look after a child for just a few days, while others will care for them for many years.
Permanent fostering
Private fostering
Short-term foster care
Emergency foster care
Short break care
Remand fostering
Family and friends or kinship care
Mother and baby or parent and child
Permanent fostering
Also known as long-term fostering. The foster family usually cares for the child until they reach adulthood, so it is very different to other forms of fostering. For some children, especially those over the age of seven, who may have strong bonds with their birth family, or children with complex care needs or disabilities, permanent fostering is a better option than adoption for providing stability.
However, at no point will permanent foster carers in the UK, outside Scotland, gain any legal responsibility for the child. They will still, for example, need to sign things like forms for school trips. In Scotland, permanent foster carers can share parental responsibilities and rights with a local authority, and with birth parents too, depending on the circumstances.
Private fostering
When the parents make an arrangement for their child to stay with someone who is not a close relative, and has no parental responsibility, for 28 days or more, this is defined as private fostering. The legal age of a child is under under 16 years, or 18 if disabled. Although a private arrangement, there are special rules about how the child is looked after. The local authority must be told about the arrangements, and will make visits to check on the child's welfare.
Short-term foster care
Involves the carers looking after the children for a few weeks or months, sometimes longer, while permanent plans are made for the child’s future.
Emergency foster care
Caring for children who need somewhere safe to stay immediately, usually for a few nights.
Short break care
Also known as respite care. Usually involves children living with their own family or foster carers, but occasionally having short stays with another foster family, when it is needed. Disabled children with special needs or children with behavioural difficulties - and the main carers of these children - may benefit from this type of foster care. It is also known as 'family link' or 'shared care'.
Remand fostering
Caring for young people who are ‘remanded’ (England and Wales) by the court into the care of the local authority.
Previously, a similar scheme was in place in Northern Ireland, but this is no longer in operation
In Scotland, young people may be placed in foster care as an alternative to secure accommodation.
Family and friends or kinship care
Children are cared for by people they already know.
Mother and baby or parent and child
Usually involves carers looking after a parent, often a mother, and her child or children to prepare them for the future. This type of foster care is especially useful for very young parents.
For more information, please consult the Fostering Network.
Special guardianship
Special guardianship is considered a bit of a 'halfway' house between adoption and permanent fostering. It does not give total legal responsibility to the special guardians, but they do exercise parental responsibility to the exclusion of others on most issues - like signing forms for school trips. However, the child's birth parents will still share legal responsibility, although their rights will be very limited.
Special guardianships are not available in Scotland.
Find out more about special guardianship
Back to: Your questions
Last updated: 27 May 10
