Knysna needs safety and foster parents

KNYSNA NEWS - Child Welfare SA: Knysna is currently experiencing an urgent need for approved and trained Safety and Foster Parents/Families who, in case of a crisis, can provide care and protection to children of ages between 0 and 16 years – and will host an information session on 25 September, starting at 14:00 at The Rock Church, 13 Main Road.

A crisis will be when Social Workers are required to remove children from their parents' or caregiver’s care in terms of the Children's Act (No. 38 of 2005 as amended in 2007). This removal may take place due to serious neglect, abuse, abandonment or any actions that endanger the child's safety and well-being.

WHAT IS A “PLACE OF SAFETY”
A place of safety is a temporary, short-term home/family where children are taken care of and being protected, pending a Children's Court Investigation by a Designated Social Worker. The Children's Court usually allocates 90 days to Social Workers to complete the Children's Court Investigation.

After the 90 days, the Social Worker must submit recommendations to the Children's Court regarding the future position of the child.

These recommendations may include one of the following and should be in the best interest of the child:

That the child is returned to the care of the previous caregiver(s)/ parent(s)
That the child is placed in Foster Care
That adoption regarding the child is considered
That the child is admitted to a Child and Youth Care Center.

This means that the child will probably not return to the safety parent's care.

FOSTER CARE
When the child is placed in foster care, the Court Order is reviewed bi-annually to determine whether the circumstances of the biological parents have changed or improved in order for the child to be restored in the care of his/her parents. If not, the Court Order for Foster Care may be extended for a further period.

SCREENING OF SAFETY AND FOSTER PARENTS

In both cases, the prospective Safety/Foster parents undergo a screening process to ensure that appropriate placements are made for children and to ensure the children’s safety.
In both cases, an allowance is made available to the Safety/Foster parents to care for the children.
In both cases, the social worker remains involved with the family to ensure that the needs of the children are met.
The responsibilities of the Safety parents are basically the same as in the case of Foster parents.
The rights and responsibilities of the Safety and Foster parents are clearly set out in the Children's Act No. 38 of 2005 as revised in 2007.

The foster parents work in partnership with the relevant Social Worker in order to ensure that all the needs of the children are met, but also to provide the necessary support to the Safety/Foster parents.

CRITERIA THAT ARE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN SELECTING SAFETY / FOSTER PARENTS

Prospective Safety/Foster parents' motives must be pure and they must be able to offer a child in need a stable and loving home.
Safety/Foster parents must be financially independent, as the allowance can only provide in the basic needs of the child.
Prospective Safety/Foster parents should be residents in Knysna, as family reunification services must be provided and, where possible, contact between the children and their biological parents must take place.
Safety/Foster parents must allow and encourage contact between children in Place of Safety and Foster Care and their biological parents when in the best interests of the child(ren) and should there be a possibility of family reunification.
Safety and Foster parents should preferably not be older than 55 years, and Foster parents not older than 45 years.

CHILDREN FOR WHOM PLACEMENT POSSIBILITIES ARE REQUIRED:

Ages between 0 - 8 years (but may also be up to 16 years of age).
All culture groups.

CWSA: Knysna would like to encourage anyone who is interested in caring for children, whether as Safety Parent or Foster Parents, to attend an Information Session:

Date: 25th September 2018
Time: 14:00 (2pm)
Venue: The Rock Church, 13 Main St, Knysna Central, Knysna

For further information you may also contact our CWSA: Knysna office at 044 382 1177/8.

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