Alternative Care and Adoption

Alternative Care

If you are continuing a pregnancy, but do not wish to parent the child you can explore the option of alternative care. This is a formal arrangement where you consent to someone else caring for your child on either a temporary or permanent basis. Alternative care can include:

• Kinship care: extended family (eg grandparents) are involved in caring for the child either permanently or until the birth parent or parents are able to care for and have the child live with them.
• Foster care: temporary foster care can be arranged where a child lives with, and is cared for by, another person or family until the birth parent or parents are able to care for and have their child live with them.

Adoption

If you are continuing a pregnancy, but do not wish to parent the child you can explore the option of adoption. Adoption permanently transfers the parental rights and responsibilities of the birth parent(s) over to the adoptive parent(s). The adoptive parent(s) will then become the child’s permanent, legal parent(s).

The Victorian Department of Justice and Community Safety oversees permanent and temporary care of children.