Children in foster care
Foster Care is when a child is placed by a Health and Social Care Trust, or by its parents (or those with parental responsibility), with another person who is not related to the child. Fostering provides children who cannot live with their own families for whatever reason with alternative care where they can benefit from a loving, safe and stable home for as long as they need it.
Legislation
The current legislative framework for foster care is set out within:
- The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995
- Children (Leaving Care) Act (Northern Ireland) 2002
- Contact with Children Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996
- The Children (Private Arrangements for Fostering) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996
- The Foster Placement (Children) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996
- The Arrangements for Placement of Children (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996
- The Review of Children's Cases Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996
- The Placement of Children with Parents etc. Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996
- The Represenations Procedure (Children) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996
- The Refuges (Children's Homes and Foster Placements) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996
- The Disqualification for Caring for Children Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996
- The Foster Placement (Children) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012
Guidance
Guidance for Health and Social Care professionals on foster care is set out within;
Foster care allowances
Health and Social Care Trusts pay foster care allowances as agreed annually with the Health and Social Care Board. The allowances are in line with national minimum rates in England. These standard rates of foster care care allowances are known the Model Scheme.
Health and Social Care adoption and foster care
If you are interested in foster care in Northern Ireland, or are currently a foster care in Northern Ireland, you can contact the Regional Adoption and Fostering Service:
Website: adoption&fostercare
Telephone: 0800 0720 137 (a 24 hour, regional service)