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Adopting teenagers you haven't fostered

Single female prospective April 20, 2021 16:34

Dear community,

I seem to be able to find a lot of information about adopting teenagers in America but less so about what the situation is here in the UK. I did find one post which stated that you have to foster before you can adopt teenagers here. Most council websites I look at seem to indicate that their adoption goes up to about 9 years old or so and then I can't seem to find information on adopting children who are any older than this. I know its a really difficult age for children who are about to age out of the system, so surely this is a possible avenue but I just don't seem to be able to find any information about it, would anyone be able to help?

With many thanks!

Donatella April 20, 2021 16:39

I think the oldest I know of is 10. If a child is still in the system as a teenager then it’s tends to be long term foster care. There’s respite which you could consider. Why a teenager rather than a younger child who’ll become a teenager at some point?

chestnuttree April 20, 2021 18:02

The oldest I know of was 10 as well. From what I know children become "hard to place" from around age 6. Most adopters are looking for children under 3, preferably babies. Developmentally teenagers are programmed to strive for independance. Building an attachment during that time is probably very difficult.

Safia April 20, 2021 18:36

Me too - though I do remember reading an article about a couple who adopted 3 girls ages 9 11 and 13 in the BAAF magazine. I agree long term fostering is what the SWs would be looking for - it’s a relationship that can go on as long as those involved want it to on an informal basis - and it doesn’t have all the family ties and fighting against these / attachment issues in quite the same way. I would make enquiries with your LA and find out

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