DESCRIPTION: |
A Foster Care Order is issued by the Children's Court when an abused or neglected child is to be removed from his or her parents and placed into foster care. A Foster Care Order lasts for two years, after which both the family and child are reevaluated to see if the child can safely be returned.
1. WHAT HAPPENS IF THE CHILD CAN NOT SAFELY BE RETURNED TO HIS OR HER FAMILY AFTER TWO YEARS? The child will be returned to foster care and the Foster Care Order extended for another two years. In cases where the parents' situation has worsened to the point that there is no hope the child will ever be safely returned, the child may be put up for adoption. 2. WHAT HAPPENS IF A FOSTER CARE ORDER EXPIRES? If a Foster Care Order lapses or is not renewed, the child in question is no longer under the legal care of his or her foster parents and should immediately go back to his or her parents or guardian. If the child remains in foster care during this time and something happens to him or her, the foster parents may be prosecuted. It is also illegal for a foster parent to receive a Foster Child Grant after the Foster Care Order has expired. |
INSTRUCTIONS: |
3. WHAT CAN A FOSTER PARENT DO TO PREVENT A FOSTER CARE ORDER FROM LAPSING? In order for a Foster Care Grant to be reviewed, a social worker must submit a foster care supervision report no later than three months before the two-year period expires. If no social worker has contacted you about four months before the two-year term expires, please contact the District Welfare Office closest to you or the social worker who placed the child with you for an appointment. It is a good idea to make this appointment outside of school hours and take the child along when you go to it as the social worker must also speak to the child. The social worker may also ask to meet you in your home. When you meet the social worker, you will need to supply the following documentation:
NOTE TO FOSTER PARENTS The provincial Department of Social Development is aware that there is a considerable backlog in the review process and is doing everything in its power to address the problem. If your Foster Child Grant has been stopped or suspended after two years, please urgently contact the District Welfare Office closest to you to ensure that the review process is started and that the child remains legally in your care. |
PROVIDED AT: |
These facility categories: |
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GOVERNMENT BODY:
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Department of Social Development (Provincial Government of the Western Cape) |
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Cape Gateway is a government service aimed primarily at citizens of the Western Cape, providing information on local, provincial and national government |  |