Caritas Care has partnered with adoption agencies across the North East and Cumbria in a campaign to find loving homes for children faster through the Early Permanence programme. This initiative, formerly known as ‘foster to adopt,’ encourages families to foster a baby or child with the hope of legally adopting them, providing children with the stability they need right from the start.

What is Early Permanence?

Early Permanence aims to reduce the uncertainty and disruption children face in care. Instead of waiting with a separate foster carer while their future is determined, children are placed with potential long-term families right away. This helps them bond sooner and experience less upheaval during critical stages of their growth and development.

Vicky Davidson Boyd, Chair of the North East and Cumbria Early Permanence Project, highlights the child-centred nature of this approach. “Early Permanence offers greater security for the babies and children involved, leading to less moving from one home to another in the care system,” she explains. “It allows for a child to bond with their potential forever family at an earlier stage, fostering a secure, loving attachment.”

Why Choose Early Permanence?

The key benefit of Early Permanence is that it provides children with a sense of stability and attachment much sooner. Children placed with Early Permanence carers are less likely to experience the trauma of moving between multiple homes, ensuring a smoother transition to adoption.

While Early Permanence does carry some uncertainty—as birth family assessments may still be ongoing—last year’s statistics show promising outcomes. Of the 54 children placed in Early Permanence placements across the North East and Cumbria last year, none were reunified with their birth family. Only one child was reunified with their birth family in the first quarter of this year.

How Can You Help?

If you’re considering adoption, Early Permanence could be the right path for you. By fostering first, you can provide love, care, and stability to a child in need, all while offering them the chance to thrive in a permanent home. Adoption agencies offer full training, support, and financial assistance during the foster care phase, including foster care allowance and adoption leave.

Vicky adds, “So many of our children have experienced uncertainty, and by fostering them first, before adopting, you can give them the stability and love they need. You have the power to totally change a child’s life.”

Learn More About Early Permanence

Early Permanence carers also have the opportunity to work with the child’s birth family during assessments, helping to build a richer understanding of the child’s heritage. This helps adopters strengthen the child’s life story and sense of identity.

Caritas Care and other agencies across the region provide long-term support to adoption families. Whether you’re just starting the adoption process or need help post-adoption, support is available for as long as needed.

To learn more about Early Permanence watch our brand new animation video.

If you want to know more about how you can help change a child’s life, give us a call on 0800 652 6955 or complete the enquiry form opposite.

(In partnership with Adoption Tees Valley, ARC Adoption, Adoption Matters, Adopt Coast to Coast, Cumbria Adoption and Adopt North East).