Fostering & Adoption Jersey

Fostering and adoption

Are you considering fostering or adopting a child? Find out more about the application process, learn more about the children who are looking for a new family and read stories from people who have fostered or adopted children.

Become a foster carer 

Make a real difference to a child's life

Fostering is when a child needs to live with a family until they can return to their own family, live independently, or be adopted. 

Becoming a foster carer gives you a unique chance to make a real difference to a child’s life, and help them to develop and achieve their potential. You provide security, stability and support at a crucial time and often provide children with their first experience of positive family life.

Lots of children are fostered for only a few weeks or months, but sometimes children may need to stay in foster care long term. There are lots of different types of fostering available and you can choose what’s right for you and your family. 

Training is provided and we're here to support you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

If you’re thinking about fostering a child, give us a call and have a chat, email us or contact us on Facebook.

10 things you should know about fostering

Did you know?

• there's no upper age limit, you have to be 21 or over
• you can foster if you're single
• there's no ethnic matching, we just want you to meet the needs of the child
• there are a number of fostering options available
• disabilities won't stand in your way
• we welcome pets
• you don't have to be a homeowner
• your salary isn't a barrier
• you can foster if you have children already
• you can foster if you're lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender

Who can foster
Apply to foster: step by step process
Different types of fostering
Fostering support and training

Thinking of adoption?

We're here every step of the way

Deciding to adopt a child is a huge step, it has the potential to change your life and that child's life forever. 

We provide advice and guidance every step of the way, and we're here to answer all of your questions. 

So, if you're thinking about adoption, give us a call and have a chat, email us or contact us on Facebook.

10 things you should know about adoption

Did you know?

• there's no upper age limit, you have to be 25 or over (unless you're adopting a relative)
• you can adopt if you're single
• there's no ethnic matching, we just want you to meet the needs of the child
• it's quicker than you think, approximately 6 to 8 months
• disabilities won't stand in your way
• we welcome pets
• you don't have to be a homeowner
• your salary isn't a barrier
• you can adopt if you have children already
• you can adopt if you're lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender

How adoption works

Adoption provides a permanent new family for children who can’t be with their own parents. It's a legal procedure which transfers all parental responsibility to the adoptive parents. The adopted child becomes a new member of the adoptive family and they receive the same rights as if they were born into that family. The birth parents of the child lose all parental rights or responsibilities. 

Adopted children may choose to keep in contact with some of their birth family, this is usually arranged and agreed during the adoption process, however the child’s safety and wellbeing is our first priority.

Once granted, an adoption order can’t be reversed, except in very rare circumstances. 

• Adopting a child from overseas
• Adoption grant: financial support when you're adopting a child
• Applying to adopt: step by step process
• Contact with birth parents: The Letterbox Service
• Fostering for adoption
• Tracing your adoption records
• Who can adopt