More South Africans are wanting to lend a helping hand through fostering.
What is foster care?
Foster care is a recognised legal form of alternative care in that a child is placed through a court order after investigations and formal court proceedings have been conducted. Children are placed in foster care for various reasons, including, but not limited to abuse, neglect, abandonment, death of the child’s legal guardian, or exploitation.
Foster care is a holistic approach that includes the development of the child’s education and connection to their community and culture, as well as incorporating the child’s rights. It is the provision of a stable family unit while still preparing the child for the return to their biological family if possible.
Who can foster?
Someone interested in becoming a foster parent needs to be 18 years or older, in good health, willing to care for the child, and able to provide an environment that will encourage the child’s growth and development.
A foster parent has to be able to journey with a child and give them all sorts of support in addition to taking care of their physical needs. A child who has been received into foster care will need the stability, support and resources to help them grow and heal from any past trauma or neglect. A foster parent needs to find ways to provide emotional, psychological, physical and mental health support and they are also responsible for ensuring that a child in their care attends school.
Support for foster parents
Caring for a vulnerable child can be an intensive responsibility and it’s important that foster parents have the right support to carry out their role.
Effective preparation for foster parents should also include social work or peer groups where parents can test their training, reflect on the impact and adjust their behaviour and approaches as necessary to help the child or children in their care.
The South African foster care system faces real challenges
Social workers go through unreasonably high caseloads. There are often delays in getting court orders, and as a result, social workers don’t always have enough resources to monitor placements or support foster families properly.
These challenges are made more complex by a lack of feedback between organisations, delays in administrative processes, and the emotional strain families face.
Social workers remain the backbone of the system
Social workers also help prepare and train foster parents, ensuring they understand the realities of caring for children who may have experienced trauma.
Foster care thrives when it’s supported by a broader community. While misconceptions about foster care persist, Botha wants the public to see it for what it truly is: a powerful tool for healing.
To learn more about foster parenting or to get involved, please visit www.badisa.org.za.