Permanent fostering means providing full-time care for children for the rest of their childhood who cannot live with their own families. Adoption means providing a child with a family for life, secured by an adoption order through the courts...
Children who need permanent fostering or adoption will have been looked after by the Children and Families Department and can’t go back to their own homes for a range of reasons. They’re likely to have had troubled early years and they may have been neglected or abused. They may feel rejected, angry and be lacking confidence or self-esteem. These feelings can make their behaviour quite difficult. Most of the children are of primary school age or younger and some will need extra support with their education. There are single children and groups of brothers and sisters.
The children need stability and security for the rest of their childhood. And they need a family who they can turn to in their adult lives. They also need a family who appreciate that their birth parents may still be important to them and that some contact, direct or indirect may be needed.
In addition to the general qualities and experience needed for carers, as a permanent foster carer or adopter, you must:
For more detailed information on adoption and permanent fostering please see the questions and answers booklet (PDF) and the step by step guide (PDF).
And if you're an approved adopter wishing to adopt a child with the City of Edinburgh Council, please see our leaflet "Now you're approved - what happens next?" (PDF).
You can also contact the Adoption Team on 0800 174 833.