Foster care is a term used to describe when a person, or family, provides temporary care to children who are unable to live with their own biological parents. In some cases, a relative may become the legal guardian, and in other cases, a non-relative may become the adoptive guardian. Foster care offers children a safe and nurturing environment while their parent/s receive services such as substance abuse treatment, mental health care, or parenting skills training. Ultimately, the goal of foster care is to reunify the biological family, however sometimes the children may ultimately be placed for adoption with their foster carers.
The protection and care of all foster children is the main priority of the agencies regulating the foster care system. Social workers play an important part in providing support and guidance to both fosterers and parents. The law requires regular visits from social workers to ensure that the environment of the foster home is meeting the standards set out by the agency. All foster carers are also required to meet the standards of care set out by the agency.
Foster parents are expected to provide a safe and loving home for the child or children in their care. This may include providing food, clothing, emotional support and supervision. Depending on the level of care required by the child, foster carers may also have to complete certain tasks such as helping the child to build life and social skills as well as educational development. Depending on the complexity of the case, foster parents may also be required to attend meetings and court hearings regarding their foster child.
In some cases, after a period of time, the foster home may become permanent and the foster carer may be asked to adopt the child they have been caring for. If this is the case, the biological family will have to agree to the adoption in order for the process to go ahead. It can be an emotional process for all involved, and so ensuring all parties understand the implications of the adoption is vital.
Conclusion
Foster care provides a safe and supportive home for children in times of distress. The goal is to reunify the family, however in some cases, the child may be placed for permanent adoption with their foster carer. Though the process may be challenging, understanding the requirements for permanent care and the considerations for adoption can make the transition easier for both foster carers and the biological family.