Meaning of Foster Care and rules for such children

The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development has announced Model principles for Foster Care application. These principles have been revealed through a process comprising delegates from States/UTs, Non-governmental arrangements, civil society, experts, and companies working for the care and well-being of the society.

The Guidelines on Foster Care organization the systems, functions, and constraints of stakeholders, along with numerous appearances compared to the employment of the foster care arrangements in the regions.

As per the guidelines by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development, Children (age 6 to18 years) whose parents are not efficient or unable to take care of them due to several reasons which can be serious subconscious disease, poverty, etc will be shifted in foster care.

What is foster care?

Foster care is an arrangement where a child lives with different family members, usually temporarily. It is preferred to keep the child with its’s extended family or with close friends of the family. When they are either not available or not willing to take care of the child, the child may be settled in the care. While putting a child in foster care, the decision shall be given to those children that share similar educational, tribal, and /or social connections.

Group Foster is described as a family environment where a combination of independent children is fixed with a set of parents who may/may not be holding their biological children.

Fundamental Beliefs of Foster Care –

• Family or a family-like atmosphere is most favorable for a child and every child has the freedom to develop in such an ambiance.

• All arrangements, leadership, and strategies happening within the scope of the existing Guidelines are to be performed on a case-by-case basis, with a stretch, to secure child’s safety and protection and must be indoctrinated in the best benefits of the child.

• All choices, actions, and procedures befalling within the range of the present Guidelines must consider the child’s right, to be discussed, and have his aspects duly taken into statement following his evolving dimensions.

• Acknowledging that each child has the power to develop in a family situation, every effort must be arranged to reassemble the child with his biological family by establishing the biological family in an organized manner.