Foster parents offered training

Tsakane – Tsakane/Geluksdal Child Welfare Department hosted a Prospective Foster Parenting Training Programme last Wednesday.

The event was held to coach foster parents on how best to handle the challenges that come with raising foster children.

Manager of the Geluksdal/Tsakane Child Welfare offices, Melinda Cupido, says this event gave the social workers and administrators an opportunity to explain more about the services they provide.

“This will ensure that we provide adequate child welfare within the community,” she says.

Kimberely says the foster care parents present were informed what is required of foster parents during application processes.

“The processes they need to follow during the period of fostering children, as well as court processes, were explained.

“We urge foster care parents to carefully budget the money they receive to make sure that children are well catered for.

“The money received for foster children is not for private use by foster parents.

“The money should not be given to children because they might end up buying drugs or other illegal things.

“In cases where we find money being misused we will be forced to suspend the foster parent’s involvement.

“We have received complaints from foster parents who are unemployed that they are unable to budget the money because of their financial circumstances,” she says.

A foster parent, Janet Nkosi, says she is grateful for the training.

“There were opportunities I wasn’t aware of which social development is offering.

“More of these training programmes should be conducted to ensure that proper care is given to foster children.

“We now know which channels to follow when we need psychological help or help from the social workers,” she adds.