Fostering and adoption are both ways of providing children with a safe and supportive home when they cannot live with their birth family. While they share a similar purpose, they differ in how long care is provided, the level of legal responsibility involved, and the commitment required.
How Fostering Works
Fostering involves caring for a child on a temporary basis, which can range from a short stay to several years. The aim is usually to support the child while plans are made for their long-term future, such as returning home or moving to a permanent family. Foster carers focus on day-to-day care, while legal responsibility generally remains with the local authority. Many organisations offering foster care Wales like https://saferfostering.org.uk/foster-care-wales work closely with carers to provide guidance, training, and ongoing support throughout each placement.
How Adoption Works
Adoption is a permanent legal arrangement where adopters become a child’s legal parents for life. Once an adoption order is granted by the court, the child has the same legal status as a birth child within the family. Adoption is usually considered when it is not possible for a child to safely return to their birth family, offering long-term stability and security. GOV.UK has an overview on adoption.
Key Legal and Practical Differences
The biggest difference between fostering and adoption lies in parental responsibility. Foster carers support a child’s daily needs, but major decisions are made by professionals. Adopters take full responsibility for all decisions, including education and healthcare.
Ultimately, fostering provides temporary care, while adoption offers a permanent family and lifelong commitment.