What was the minimum age difference required between you and the prospective foster/adopted child?
When I was first approved I was 24 and was able to foster a child no older than 8. I'm just wondering if the requirements change depending on where you live (I'm an Aussie), which state, needs of the child etc?
AnnaBelle
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We were told that the minimum age spread was 16 years, but that they ultimately would "shoot for" 18 years.
However, there are some exceptions..At one point, we had inquired about a sib group of 4, the eldest being 13 (I was 28 at the time)...these kids were going to be particularly difficult to place, so they were willing to look at us. It didn't pan out at the end of the day, though, because the kids had to remain in the city in which they currently resided because of certain services that they needed there.
I live in Alberta, Canada.
ETA: I will mention also that initially when we were approved, our worker at that time seemed to feel it was incredibly important to place older kids with older parents, younger kids with younger parents. Older parents are more experienced/seasoned/patient for the older kids, younger parents often have more energy and physical stamina for little ones. Also, the issue of loss was brought up...Placing very young children with older parents leaving a child more vulnerable to losing a parent, etc... I don't know if that was a motivator for our placement, since we didn't end up with that same worker in the end, but that was what we were told in the beginning.
It might also depend on the program, whether straight fostering, adoption or foster to adopt.
Serenity71
Hi Supermum,
From what I can tell when they assessed us it depended greatly on where the needs are in the state. In our case it was 0- 3yrs old for placement of permanent/adoption and at the our age group was very early 30's. From what I've seen it changes year to year and is very much weighted on the individual assessment by the government dept. In temp fostering the age limits are widened more because they're so desperate at the moment for carers. I even saw an advert on TV for fostering. That tells me the need is higher than ever before.
?
i think of all are screened the comparable barring any intercountry adoptions standards. All might desire to bypass a state homestudy. those mothers and fathers could be in penal complex for not reporting that their baby went lacking. it is that easy.
Molly
we are adopting and we were told it varies by state. Here in Wisconsin its 15 years difference. They said some states say 10 and average is 10-20 years difference minimum.
Anonymous
I was 33 when I adopted and I could adopt any age.