/Adoption & Permanency

Adoption & Permanency

What is permanency?

When a child has permanency, they have a sense of belonging and lifelong connection to others. There are many ways to create permanency for children and youth. Adoption has historically been the most widely-known type of permanency arrangement. But nowadays, permanency arrangements like guardianship and kinship care are becoming more common.

Permanency is a fairly new word even among social workers and professionals. The Belonging Network believes in moving towards this word because it’s inclusive. It’s also focused on the outcome we want for children and youth, rather than the method.

If you’re interested in becoming an adoptive or permanency caregiver, our free, self-paced Introduction to Adoption and Permanency course is a great place to start. The course covers the basics of the adoption process, legal and financial considerations, and the unique needs of the children and youth waiting in government care.

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Four aspects of permanency

There are four aspects to think of when creating permanency for a child: legal, relational, physical, and cultural. Not all permanency arrangements need to be equally strong in all four aspects. It’s more important to think about what is in the child’s best interests. For example, kinship care, Indigenous customary care, and even a long-term placement with a foster parent can offer a strong sense of permanency for a child even though it’s not legally permanent like in adoptions and guardianships.

Legal

The courts recognize a legal transfer of parenthood from one family to another, like in the case of adoption and guardianship.

Physical

A child is in one home or with one family for a long time, with their physical needs met.

Cultural

A child has continuity with the culture, language, and community they grew up in.

Relational

A child has strong mental and emotional ties with important people in their lives, which can include birth families and new families, but also “chosen family” members who might be a teacher, neighbour, or friend.

Types of permanency

Permanency is transformational for everyone involved. The emotional and social impacts of a permanency arrangement can last a lifetime for both you and the child or youth. Many permanency arrangements focus first on finding safe adults who already have a connection to a child who cannot return to their birth family.

Guardianship

Guardianship is a legal relationship between a child and the adult(s) who raise them. Legal obligations end when the child turns 19.

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Kinship care

When a child is cared for by relatives or adults from the same family, culture, or community.

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Indigenous customary care

Indigenous communities often have their own laws and traditions on how to care for children who can’t safely live with their families. These are called customary care arrangements.

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Foster care (and reuniting with birth families)

Fostering a child in one home or family until they are an adult or until they can be reunited with their families can offer a sense of stability for a child.

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Adoption

When a parent’s rights and responsibilities to their child are transferred to a new parent.

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Birth parent perspective

Hear from a birth father on his experience with placing a child for adoption in this panel hosted by the Belonging Network.

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Permanency options for youth

Many teenagers in government care are waiting for adoption or another form of permanency. Learn about the different ways to create permanency for youth.

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Who are BC’s waiting children and youth?

When we talk about waiting children and youth in BC, we usually mean those waiting in government care (which includes foster care). What are they waiting for? A new home and family they can call their own.

waiting children and youth

waiting groups of siblings

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aged 5 and up

Who are BC’s waiting children and youth?

waiting children and youth

waiting groups of siblings

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aged 5 and up

Adoption and permanency FAQ

Many people wonder about the same things when they’re thinking about adoption and permanency. Find answers to your top questions.

What is the difference between adoption and permanency?

Are the children in foster care “typical”?

Can I adopt a child who is an infant or toddler?

Permanency is important because it sets the ground work for the future; it helps to make positive outcomes possible.

Former youth in care