Do long term fostered children ever get returned to their parents?

[BadgerBadgerMushroom]

I wondered if anyone knew how likely it would be that a child who had been in long term foster care for 7 years would be returned to their parent after all that time? Is it a complicated process? Does it often happen? My step children's mum has recently met a partner who states they are getting their child back after that long and would just like to understand the process more. Thanks for any help :)

As far as I am aware, a parent could ask to be reassessed to have their child returned and go through a court case. But the parent would have to show that all the issues that led to the removal of a child have been resolved.

I have 2 children in a long term placement. For a couple of years at every 6 monthly review meeting the parent would ask the reviewing officer when they could get them back. And the officer would say give it a couple of years then you’ll be able to be reassessed. Anyway, it’s never happened as they can see the kids are happy where they are but I do wonder what the upcoming teenage years might bring! I have been told that when kids get to 14 or 15 they can obviously often get themselves to birth families so rather than have the placement break down, as long as there are no serious concerns, it is possible they’re allowed back.

I have one foster child with me. Has been here for 7 years. Plan is for child to stay with us forever.
Mum and dad often talk about them going back to them, in reality never going to happen. Child is far to attached to our family now, they talk about going to visit mum for sleepovers but make it clear they want to live with us.

However I was told by another carer there is a law that if a child returns to birth parents in the first 13 weeks after their 14th birthday the local authority no longer have any responsibility to care for them.
If this is true we will probably see this happening as councils have to make savings.

Hi...I’m looking for some advice regarding Grandchildren being fostered by Maternal Grandparents under a Care Order via The Local Authority.
If the Maternal Grandparents are receiving Foster care allowance can they also claim child maintenance from the children’s father?
My Son is currently paying his Ex partners parents £450 per month in maintenance.....they are going through the process of Fostering the children and will be in receipt of Foster Care Allowance......will he still have to pay the full amount? Should it be split with his Ex? Does it cease when they legally Foster? I have spoken to CMS...they couldn’t give me a definite answer....maybe someone on this forum has been faced with the same thing...xx

Are you sure the grandparents will be getting fostering allowance.
My sister in law has her grandson but gets no allowance for him. I think it is upto the LA how much they get or if they can just claim benefits.

I have a foster child who has been with me for 3 years but been in care for 13/14 years. When they came to me they were desperate to go home to mum who had remarried and had a small child. 18 months down the line they made their own decision that they wanted to stay with me but continue to have the regular monthly contact I've encouraged. Only this week he's told one of my friends that mum never really wanted him back 😢