CLOSE to 50 children have been placed under foster care and guardianship across the country this month.
This was revealed by the Deputy Director in the Department of Social Welfare, under the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office Marcelia Neves, who said the department has been working with the Hhohho, Lubombo and Shiselweni Magistrates’ Courts to facilitate the placement of these minors.
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According to Neves, 41 children have so far been officially placed under foster care through the magistrates’ courts in collaboration with the deputy prime minister’s office. Of these, 15 minors were placed by the Shiselweni Magistrate’s Court, nine in Hhohho and 17 in Lubombo. All are children below the age of 18.
Neves explained that foster care is one of several alternative care options available for children who cannot remain with their biological families. She said this type of care is temporal rather than permanent and can be arranged on an emergency, medium-term, or long-term basis. “This care option is carried out through the country’s justice system, where a social worker must be involved to compile a socio-economic report,” she said.
Neves added that foster care involves the placement of a child with a non-blood-related adult, who is willing to take responsibility for their welfare. She said families or individuals who wish to foster children can approach the department of social welfare to obtain application forms. The National Foster Care Programme, she said, operates under the deputy prime minister’s office in collaboration with Challenge Ministries and SOS Children’s Villages.
Neves explained that quarterly training sessions are conducted for prospective foster parents. She said the main objectives were to raise awareness on global and national trends in alternative care, build capacity among families and parents and strengthen understanding of the national legal frameworks on child protection.
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“Parents are trained on various topics, including alternative care, national child protection laws, the rights and responsibilities of children in foster care, the role of government and partners as well as attachment issues among children,” she said. Neves added that the training also covers mental health and the reintegration of children from foster families back into their families of origin.
She added that upon completion of training, participants are certified and undergo a vetting process conducted by the foster care committee. She said once approved, a court order is granted through the office of the attorney general, permitting the placement.
“The names of the foster parents and the child to be placed are published at the relevant magistrate’s courts so that anyone who wishes to contest the placement can come forward. If there are no objections, the foster care and guardianship placement proceeds,” she said.
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