Permanent fostering

Interested in Permanent fostering? Fill in the enquiry form and we’ll get in touch or call 01383 602235 to speak to a member of the team.
Enquiry form

As a Permanent foster carer, you will provide full-time care to a child, siblings or young person who are usually aged seven years or older until they are 18 years old.

You will be carefully matched with the child and will act as their parent throughout their childhood and into adulthood. Permanent foster carers often maintain contact between children and their families and friends. It is important that children keep in touch with their siblings, parents and friends to maintain their sense of identity.

The term permanent is used specifically in Scotland and refers to a permanence order which is issued by a Sheriff at a court hearing. A permanence order transfers the parental rights of the parents to the local authority who can then decide where the child lives.

The order can last until the child reaches the age of 18 and means the child is no longer is part of the children’s hearing system. This benefits the child or children because it takes away the uncertainty they face about their futures. And they no longer need to attend or be involved with children’s panels.

Your responsibilities

  • To provide a safe, caring and nurturing home for a child or young person until they are at least sixteen, can be up to twenty-one.
  • To support a child’s social and emotional development and ensure their health needs are met.
  • To support a child or young person to keep in touch with people who are important to them.
  • To work as part a team around the child according to their care plan.

Who can be a Permanent foster carer?

You don’t need formal qualifications, but you’ll need:

  • patience
  • understanding
  • commitment
  • and some experience of children and young people would be useful.
  • Being able to provide a settled home environment
  • Supportive and caring
  • Making a child feel part of the family
  • Understanding
  • Fun and active
  • Loving
  • Fair
  • Ability to teach life skills
  • Ability to listen
  • Encourage friendships

Fife Council has a duty to make sure that carers are assessed and approved. As part of the process you will be asked to share information about yourself and other people you live with and undertake health and police checks.You will be formally matched with a young person at the Permanence Panel.

The process of application to become a Permanent carer should take approximately four months and with regular visits to your home. A report will then be completed and shared with you.

The final step is to be referred to the Fostering Panel where you will be approved and then you will begin to have children place with you.