Seven children under State Care were placed in foster care last year.
According to the 2017 Annual Report of the Foster Panel, two girls and five boys under the age of 3 were placed with foster families last year, through the Foster Panel, established by the Ministry of Gender and Family to facilitate the provision of a home and family environment for children living in shelters. Out of the 7 applications received in 2017, 3 applications were granted approval for fostering, while an additional 4 applications lodged prior to 2017 were also approved for foster care.
The report further states that, out of 7 applications received in 2017, 1 application form was rejected by panel members, another application form was withdrawn by the applicant, and 2 application forms were still under review by the end of the year.
The report also highlights that in addition to children placed under foster care, 20 children were reintegrated with their families in 2017. These include 7 girls and 13 boys under the age of 18. The children were reintegrated following a review of the special assessment to determine the capabilities of the requested families.
Members of the Foster Panel are appointed as advised by the Minister of Gender and Family, and includes representatives of the Ministry, relevant institutions and civil society organizations.
With the recognition that all children deserve to grow up with care and support from a family environment, children living in State Care shelters are placed with foster families that express interest, in line with the conditions outlined in the ‘Foster Care Guideline’.
27 May 2018