The growing demand for foster care placements over the years and the limited resources to respond to the need have prompted the Minister of Social Development, Ms Bathabile Dlamini, to appoint a ministerial committee to investigate how the backlog of foster care applications and lapsed foster care orders can be addressed within the confines of the law, also taking into consideration the best interest of the children as demanded by the Children’s Act.

The Children’s Act makes provision for a statutory placement, through a court order issued by the Children’s Court, of children who are found to be in need of care and protection.  The purpose of foster care is to provide care and protection to children in a nurturing, safe and healthy environment.

Provincial governments are mandated to compile reports to submit to the Children’s Court with recommendations to be considered by the presiding officers whether children should be placed in foster care or not.  Further, provincial government have to ensure that the foster care orders issued are managed effectively by ensuring that the orders are extended on time, ensuring the legality of placements and the continuation of foster care grants.

The said ministerial committee is established to determine the contributing factors to the challenges experienced within the foster care system and advise the Minister, within 18 months, on measures that may be considered to improve the quality of foster care services.

The detailed scope of work and members of the committee will be announced by Minister Dlamini during a media briefing, which will take place as follows:

Date: 20 October 2014

Time: 09h00

Venue: GCIS Head Office in Hatfield, Tshedimosetso House, 1035 Frances Baard Street (corner Festival Street)

There will be a video link to the Imbizo Media Centre, 120 Plein Street, Cape Town. The Minister will be in Pretoria.

RSVPs: Jaconia Kobue on 073 026 1111 or jaconiak@dsd.gov.za <mailto:jaconiak@dsd.gov.za> .

Enquiries: Lumka Oliphant on 083 484 8067 or lumkao@dsd.gov.za <mailto:lumkao@dsd.gov.za>

Issued by Department of Communications on behalf of the Department of social development.