Single, cohabiting people can be foster parents
MBABANE – Single and cohabiting couples can become foster parents in the kingdom.
Even those who were previously bankrupt can be considered for this role.
This will come as a relief to some emaSwati who wanted to know the requirements for one to be considered as a foster parent following the launch of such a programme by government last week. Infact, almost everyone can become a foster parent in the country, so long as they pass the vetting exercise.
Acting Director in the Social Welfare Department under the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office Sindi Dube, said if a family would like to foster a child, there was a vetting process they had to go through.
“Having debt or bankruptcy on your credit file will not automatically exclude you, as long as you are able to demonstrate that becoming a foster parent is a financially viable option for you and your family,” said Dube. She further added that parents or a couple who would like to become foster parents had a lot to consider.
“Fostering is a demanding role and requires commitment in terms of time as well as energy,” said the director.
With comparison to South Africa guidelines in fostering, Eswatini guidelines are set to be almost the same.
In the guidelines for Eswatini foster care, everyone who would like to become a foster parent can become one.
The eligibility to become a foster parent as mentioned by Dube would be quiet easy for emaSwati.
“The eligibility to become a foster parent is simple; a responsible, single person can also become a foster parent as long as the people are assessed by a social worker and they are above the age of 25 years,” said Dube.
A cohabiting couple, though not legally married, would also be allowed to foster children in the country. Dube mentioned that people needed to do away with the misconceptions surrounding being a foster parent.
“You do not need to own or live in your own home. You also do not need to be wealthy or be a stay-athome parent to become a foster parent,” said Dube during an interview.
Requirements
When the DPMO’s Under Secretary Hlobisile Dlamini was asked if the foster requirements similar to those of South Africa would apply in Eswatini, she said she would look into it.
Dlamini said the laws were almost similar but would appreciate time to prepare a holistic report on it.
“These are very good and precise questions. There is a placement committee headed by myself and we are currently consulting with our legal advisor and we will come back with a holistic report,” said Dlamini.
She insisted that she needed to prepare the information and do some references with the South Africa guidelines.
Worth noting is that foster care in the country would be short-term (one week to three months), medium-term (three months to not more than sixmonths)
It can also last up until the child turns 18 years, depending on the different type of cases.
Just like in South Africa, a willing foster parent has to engage in pre-servicing parent training classes.
The one thing that stands out with fostering in South Africa is that one gets a grant of E1 050 to take care of a foster child.
This, however, has not been highlighted in the country’s recently launched foster care programme.
In South Africa, to qualify as a foster parent, one must be a South African citizen, permanent resident and the child must live in South Africa.
The foster child must be legally placed in one’s care and the child must remain in the foster parent’s care.
The child must be younger than 18. The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) pays the grant in cash at a specific pay point on a particular day.
If you receive your money through the bank, an institution or procurator, you are required to fill in a life certificate (a document to prove that you are still
alive) at a SASSA office every year.
According to South African Fostering laws, if you smoke they would be unable to place any children under the age of five in the foster parent’s home.
“If you have older children in placement, we ask that all smoking and drinking be done outside,” reads the fostering guidelines in South Africa.
As part of an assessment, the financial stability of a family will be looked at. This is to ensure that any children who are placed with them have a secure home.