WJEC GCSE Home Eco - Child Development

Adoptive family This is a family where, through a legal process, adults become parents to children who were not born to them. The arrangement is permanent ; the birth parents give up all rights to the child, with the adoptive parents having full legal rights, and give stability and a home life to a child. There is no money provided by any government service, so the adoptive parent pays for the care of the child just as they would had they given birth to the child themselves. The adoptive parents still have to pass rigorous tests and interviews by Social Services. Reconstituted (step-family) A parent with one or more children marries or lives with a new partner. This may mean that the family may have a better quality of life with more money to spend. However, the children may resent the step-parent and not develop a close bond, and step-brothers and -sisters may not get on with each other, causing friction. Discipline issues and expectations may conflict with what the child has been used to. New relationships can be formed with relatives of the step-parent – such as with grandparents, aunts or uncles – and the family offers both male and female role models. Foster family A foster parent is someone who temporarily looks after a child who is not their own. Foster carers receive money for the child’s care and must be thoroughly checked and approved by Social Services . Wherever possible the child is encouraged to visit and have contact with their birth parents, who know their child is being well cared for. Children know it is a temporary measure but they may be unhappy as they feel unwanted and miss their parents. On the positive side, though, foster families allow children to have an experience of living in a caring family environment and to develop skills needed for effective family relationships. Homeless family Parent is ill and unable to look after the child Badly behaved child who cannot be controlled Abandoned child Lone parent struggling to cope One or both parents are in prison What is the difference between fostering and adoption? Produce a leaflet or PowerPoint that explains what you know about each. Activity Key Terms Reconstituted – parents with children from a previous marriage Foster family – adults who temporarily act as parents for children Adoptive family – children are legally made part of a family Residential care – care for children who cannot li ve with their parents Reasons why children are fostered 4