When children cannot be cared for by their parents, they need a safe home where they can receive care and support. In some instances, the Children’s Court decides that there is no realistic possibility for a child to return to the care of their parents. For these children, the court will make long term orders, placing the child under the care of the Minister until they are 18 years of age.
These children need permanent homes where they can be cared for and develop positive attachments and thrive. Long term foster carers provide a permanent family and home for children.
When a child is in a secure long term placement and their needs are being met by their carers, Anglicare is able to explore whether other legal options such as adoption or guardianship are in the best interests of the child.
Adoption can assist children in care to know they have a permanent, lifelong family and home. Adoption can also assist children to feel secure and valued.
Anglicare is both a designated foster care agency and an accredited adoption service provider. Only a handful of foster care agencies in NSW have this ‘dual’ accreditation. As such, our carers can be approved as both foster carers and prospective adoptive parents. This means that if adoption will meet the best interests of the child, then the process for taking the matter to the Supreme Court is more streamlined.