Do you want to help a child or youth who is unable to live with their parents?
Children and youth who need a home may be of any age, from babies to 19 years old. They come from different cultural backgrounds. Often, they have experienced trauma related to abuse, neglect, and loss.
Like all young people, each has their own personality, interests, potential and need to live in an environment where they can reach their full potential. The type of care that will be most appropriate depends on the individual needs of the child/youth.
If you would like to help a child or youth in this situation, opening your home to them may be right for you. We need loving, supportive individuals or couples who can provide a stable and loving environment. The types of care you may be able to provide include:
Kinship
Kinship is when a relative or someone with a close relationship to a child/youth cares for them (temporarily or permanently) when their parent(s) cannot.
Examples of kinship caregivers are grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, godparents, friends, teachers, neighbours, coaches, etc.
If you are considering kinship care visit the Kinship Care page for more information.
Adoption
Adoption is when an individual or family legally adopts a child/youth. There are multiple types of adoption, each with their own application process.
Visit the Adopting a child or youth page for more information.
Private adoption
If you have an agreement with a family to adopt a child who is extended family or not related to you:
- Contact a lawyer who specializes in family law. If you need help finding a lawyer, search for “adoption family law lawyer near me” online or visit the Law Society of New Brunswick’s website.
- Your lawyer will notify the Department of Social Development 60 days prior to the child living with the adoptive parent(s). The Department of Social Development’s role in private adoption is to:
- Complete a private adoption assessment and make a recommendation,
- Ensure adoptive families provide the necessary documents, and
- Support the birth parent(s) and collect relevant information.
Visit the Adopting a child or youth page for more information.
If you are interested in adopting an immediate family member or your spouse’s child:
Immediately family members include grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles of the child or close relatives according to Indigenous customs.
- Contact a lawyer who specializes in family law. If you need help finding a lawyer, search for “adoption family law lawyer near me” online or visit the Law Society of New Brunswick’s website.
The Department of Social Development is not involved in this type of adoption.
Intercountry Adoption
If you are interested in adopting a child or youth from another country:
- Call 1-888-394-4022, email adopt@gentlepathsj.com or visit Gentle Path Counselling Services’ website for more information.
The Department of Social Development is not involved in this type of adoption.
Foster home
A foster home is when an individual or family provides full-time care for a foster child/youth. Visit the Fostering a Child or Youth page for more information and to apply.
Respite or relief care
Respite or relief care is when an individual or family provides short-term care for a foster child/youth such as on weekends or holidays. Visit the Supporting Caregivers, Children and Youth Through Respite/Relief Care page for more information and to apply.
