For those living in child care institutions across Tamil Nadu, finding a loving foster family is a tall order.
While officials from the Department of Social Defence say they have been trying to encourage families to look after children through the State’s foster care programme, there is a marked reluctance among potential participants.
“Most families want a legal right over the child while foster care is only a temporary placement, and adopting these children will again take time with no assurance that the child’s stay will be extended with the same family,” said an official from the department.
According to data obtained from the department, only 22 children across the State have been placed under foster care since 2014.
The data reveals that there are currently 1,620 eligible children, who are waitlisted for placement under foster care, after care and sponsorship programmes.
Of the total number, 43 children were earlier in foster care and now, have been returned to institutions, but remain eligible to be restored to foster families, said officials.
Karur district alone has 12 such children, who are waiting to be restored, while Chennai has three.
“The demand is mainly for children below the age of five, who can only be placed for adoption. But there are many who have nowhere to go, especially during school holidays, and need a family,” the official said.
According to the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, children in need of care and protection can be placed in foster care, including group foster care, through orders of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), in a suitable unrelated family for a short or extended period of time.
Monthly support
These children will also be provided monthly financial support by the respective District Child Protection Unit, while their education and healthcare needs will be looked after by the foster family.
The CWC holds monthly inspections and if the family is found unsuitable, the children will be removed and placed in another home.
“Many a time, the children are not able to adjust to the new environment and are sent back. They end up feeling more unwanted,” said an official from the CWC. “We shall provide all support to families willing to foster children,” the official said.
Experts were critical of the foster care system in the State, saying that it was currently a failure.
Many said that lack of awareness was a reason.
Some experts also pointed out that since the concept of foster care was relatively new in the State, there was a need for an in-depth study into the issue. Other methods of caregiving also needed to be promoted, they said.
“There are many children, either orphans or from dysfunctional families, who are looked after by their kin and relatives. This has been an ongoing practice in many families and the department must encourage and recognise it as foster care,” said Girija Kumar Babu, general secretary, Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW).
Families willing to foster a child may contact the District Child Protection Officer, No. 58, Suryanarayana Road, Royapuram, Chennai - 13 or call 044-25952450/ 26421358.
