What is meant by "permanency planning" in child welfare?

Permanency planning in child welfare refers to the process of ensuring that a child has a stable, permanent living situation that is conducive to their well-being and development. This concept emphasizes the importance of providing a permanent home for children, whether that be through reunification with biological parents, adoption, or guardianship. The ultimate goal is to avoid prolonged stays in foster care and to secure a sense of belonging and security for the child. This process involves assessing the child's needs, the family's situation, and the available resources to determine the best plan for achieving permanency.

The focus is not on maintaining children in foster care indefinitely, which would be counterproductive to the child's need for stability and security. Additionally, while ensuring safe visits with biological parents may be a component of the process, it is not the core focus of permanency planning. Lastly, increasing temporary foster placements does not align with the goal of permanency; rather, it potentially leads to instability for the child, which permanency planning seeks to avoid. Thus, it is clear that the main aim of permanency planning is to achieve a lasting and secure living arrangement for the child.