Adults who engage in foster care or adoption perform a great service. However, what they do may not always be enough. A child placed into care outside of the biological home may have special needs that mandate certain services. The result may be a decision to terminate the placement for the benefit of both the child and the family.
The intention is to help the child improve, not to encourage additional destructive behaviors and attitudes. At the same time, the caregiver has the opportunity to restore balance and order to the existing family. This is often a difficult road, filled with feelings of madness, sadness, and fear. Balancing these is happiness that the child has a chance to receive the services needed for development.
The caregiver must take the first step to meet the needs of the child. This involves contacting the social worker regarding the situation and requesting replacement. The social worker will locate a more suitable placement within a mandated timeframe. A smooth transition to the new placement will be accomplished by the social worker and caregiver working in tandem. In some cases, this goes so far as revoking an adoption.
Throughout the process, the needs of the child must remain the top priority. The caregiver and social worker must identify where the child can receive the services necessary to develop into a responsible adult. Caregivers must realize that they did not fail in their duties. Grief and loss are natural feelings and the social worker should assist with working through these.
The tie between a foster or adoptive parent and child often does not break in a situation like this. Some children and caregivers choose to remain in contact after the new placement situation begins. As long as both work within the parameters of the case plan, the relationship should be a positive and healthy one.
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