Government issues model guidelines for foster care

The union ministry of women and child development on Monday issued model guidelines for foster care.

The model guidelines on foster care detail the procedures, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, along with various aspects related to the implementation of the foster care program in the districts.

"These guidelines have been developed through a consultative process involving representatives from states/union territories, non-governmental organisations, civil society, academicians, experts and organisations working on alternative care," the ministry said in a statement.

The IEC (Information, Education and Communication) material for supporting the foster carer/parents on helpful tips, the rewards and challenges of a foster parent, and a summary card on steps on becoming a foster carer are also covered in the model foster care guidelines.

"These guidelines have been strengthened by providing additional formats for preparing case study of the child, application form for the foster carer/parents to apply, tools for counselling before and during the process to the child, the foster carer/parents and the biological parents of that child, if available," it said.

"These guidelines may be adopted or adapted as per the requirement of the state/urban territory," it added.