Child fostering process explained
IN essence, foster care is a critical societal intervention that provides children in need with the opportunity to thrive, heal, and build a brighter future. Issues affecting children may include high levels of unemployment, poverty, crime, domestic violence, substance abuse, sexual abuse and HIV/Aids. Children younger than 18 years are eligible for foster care, while foster care individuals should be older than 18 years.
The Durban Child & Youth Care Centre believes that family reunification is a significant part of their fostering programme. 'Over the years, our focus has shifted in line with modern best practice. Providing a safe and loving environment where kids can thrive remains an important part of our work. But the ultimate goal is to develop, strengthen and empower families so that children are able to return home where they belong,' the centre shared.
The Department of Social Development reported that as of the end of March 2024, there were 306 683 children in foster placement receiving foster child grants.
Also read: Challenges facing SA foster care system
The department's Lumka Oliphant explained, 'Foster care is a court-ordered care of a child that needs care and protection, placing the child in a cluster foster care scheme or with a suitable person other than a biological parent or a guardian. As part of foster care, the Children's Act introduced the concept of cluster foster care placement, which is aimed at maximising the available resources.'
Prospective foster parents and homes need to apply to the Department of Social Development or an accredited child protection organisation for permission to foster the child. Once the court order has been issued, you can apply for a foster child grant.
Oliphant adds, 'You can only foster a child for the period indicated in the court order. Once the indicated period of the court order has lapsed, the presiding officer may, after reviewing the recommendation from the social worker, extend the period of the court order.'
Also read: Are you able to become an animal foster parent?
Steps to follow:
1. Apply to your nearest Department of Social Development office or an accredited child protection organisation to foster a child.
2. You will be referred to a social worker who will conduct an investigation.
3. The social worker will assess you and the child.
4. Submit the following:
• an affidavit stating that the child is abandoned (if applicable)
• death certificates of the parents (if applicable)
• Birth certificate of the child. If the child does not have a birth certificate, the social worker will assist you in obtaining the birth certificate
• Your identity document.
5. The biological parents must be involved in the process.
6. If you do not know where the biological parents are, the social worker will assist you in placing an advertisement in newspapers for one month, calling on them to come forward.
7. If the biological parents do not come forward, the process will proceed.
8. The child must be involved in the entire process.
9. The social worker will compile a report and present it to the Children's Court with recommendations.
10. Based on the social worker's report, the presiding officer at the court may find the child to be in need of care and protection.
11. The presiding officer will issue a court order approving the placement of the child with the foster parent. The court order will show the names of the foster parent, the foster child and the duration of the foster placement.
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