If you have decided to make a longer-term commitment to a child already in your care, you can apply to the court for a Child Arrangement Orders (replaced 'Residence Orders' and 'Contact Orders' in 2014). 

Child Arrangement Orders can decide where a child lives and what contact arrangements are put in place.

Parental responsibility is shared with birth parents. Kinship carers can apply for a Child Arrangement Order through the court in private proceedings.