After the outrage caused this past week by the death of a six-month-old baby, allegedly due to negligence, the Record was inundated with people wanting to know how to become a foster parent.
Also read: Baby tragedy: House allegedly visited by authorities
Both Roodepoort Child Welfare (RCW) and NG Welfare said their biggest challenge is the shortage of foster parents. NG Welfare also cited finances as a struggle. Alarmingly, both said that there is currently no database of potential approved foster parents.
A social worker from NG Welfare, who cannot be identified, explained the process to become a foster parent.
1. Prospective foster parents phone the welfare organisation and make an appointment.
2. During the appointment with a social worker, the following will be covered:
-what are the prospective foster parents’ motives for fostering a child,
-the procedure,
-discussion of the responsibilities of foster parents and what is expected from them,
-the background forms will be supplied.
3. The prospective foster parent’s home will then be visited and the forms will be discussed.
4. Follow-up discussions will take place.
5. The prospective foster parents will then appear in front of a child foster panel consisting of senior social workers where the application will be discussed and either approved or disapproved.
6. Although no database of approved potential foster parents currently exists, NG Welfare is starting one and approved foster parents will then be entered into it.
NG Welfare can be contacted on 011 955 6924. RCW can be reached on 011 271 8700.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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