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Frequently Asked Questions

Who are foster parents?

Foster parents come from all walks of life. They are of all ages and from many different backgrounds. Some work, some are at home, some live in apartments, others are self-employed. Most importantly, foster parents are people who have a strong sense of caring and commitment and can provide children with a safe, stable environment.

Why are children placed in foster care?

Some children have families that are in significant conflict, others come from homes that are not providing them with the necessities for a healthy life. Other reasons include mental health and substance abuse in the family, child abuse and neglect.

Who are they?

Foster children range in age from infants to 18 years old and come from various cultural, racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds. Some children are in foster care voluntarily and others come by a court order. Some are brothers and sisters needing placement together; some have specific emotional, developmental or physical challenges.

How long do children stay in care?

The duration of a child's stay in care depends on their needs, and may be anywhere from a few days to a number of years. The average placement lasts six months to one year. Families with children in care often need time and agency support to work through their issues and arrive a point where their children are returned home. In some cases this goal is not realized and a permanent plan must take place.

How to become a foster family?

You will need to complete a police check, medical evaluation and forward references for review. Your full participation in a training programme, and individual and family interviews are also required.

Would I have contact with birth families of the children in my home?

Most children in foster care have regular visits with their birth families, even though they are not living with them. Maintaining birth family, kin and community relationships are essential to a child's sense of overall well being and belonging. Helping a child deal with his/her history and supporting continued relationships that are important to the child is an important role for foster parents. The agency provides support to foster families in achieving this in a safe and comfortable fashion.

Why do we need special training and what is involved?

Fostering and adopting is not the same as parenting a child born to you. The child brings his/her relationships, history, genetics, social and medical background, and experiences that need to be understood and respected. Foster and adoptive parents must be able to support the child with his/her feelings about being in care or being adopted. The PRIDE training we provide, will assist you in preparing to parent a child or children under these circumstances. As well, through the SAFE home study assessment, you will explore your strengths and challenges as you anticipate making a commitment to the unique role of parenting a child through fostering or adoption.