Fostering, adopting and looked after children
Taking care of children in Hammersmith & Fulham
In Hammersmith & Fulham we believe that the best place for children and young people is with their families. Our social workers aim to help keep families together during difficult times in their lives. If a family or child come to us for help or a concern is raised about a child, we will work closely with the child as well as other family members, to try to find the right support for them.
However, there are occasionally times when parents are unable to take care of their children, children are at danger of harm, or children are left without parents. When this happens we work to ensure that they receive the stability and care they need, preferably within a family setting.
This could mean working with members of the child’s extended family, such as grandparents or aunts and uncles, who may be able to care for the child. Where this is not possible children may be cared for by foster carers.
In Hammersmith & Fulham we have one of the widest ranges of specialist foster care schemes, and have carers who are specially trained to work with the most challenging young people. We believe that most young people will usually benefit from living in a family-based setting rather than a residential home. A very small minority of the young people who become ‘looked after’ will spend time living in a residential home.
For most children who become ‘looked after’ we work to help them return to their family. Where children will be unable to return to their families, we will usually try to find a permanent home for them with a foster or adoptive family. In some cases it may not be possible or suitable for a child to be adopted, but we can help foster carers obtain special guardianship orders.
How to find out more:
Are you a looked after child?
Are you interested in becoming a foster carer?
Are you interested in adopting a child?
Are you looking after someone else's child? (private fostering)
