Gujarat government to start foster parenting scheme

GANDHINAGAR: Similar to the model followed in western countries, the state government is planning to float a foster parenting scheme for disadvantaged children living in shelter homes. The social justice & empowerment department of Gujarat has marked that children living in shelter homes face a rude shock when, upon reaching the age of 18, state support is withdrawn and they find it difficult to adjust in society. To remedy this situation, the government is thinking of sending the children to homes of foster parents where they might find a better environment and social network.
The initial plan is to compensate such foster parents with about Rs 3,000-5,000 per month per child — at less than half of the annual support expense of Rs 1.5-1.8 lakh the government currently claims to spend for each child in state children’s homes. A senior officer in the state social justice & empowerment department said, “The scheme is likely to be announced in the upcoming budget session.’’
The officer added, “After thorough assessment it was found that children brought up in children’s homes end up as unfit citizens due to lack of social support and network during adulthood. In developed countries governments promote foster parenting so that disadvantaged children without any inheritance can get real family support.”
“Children’s homes have a lot of limitations including social and psychological challenges,” the officer said. “Legal adoption has too many issues so people avoid adoption. But foster parenting will have limited obligation. Also, if foster parents are unable to provide proper support to a child in their care, the government may find other foster parents who are more suitable,” the officer said, adding the government will also ensure such children gain admission to schools under RTE.
The officer said the state government initially aims to send around 5,000 children currently living in children’s homes to homes under the proposed foster parent scheme. “Considering the response the government may also increase grants. The government will first look for foster parents among a child’s close family members like uncle, aunty etc., and next from the same community so acceptance of the children becomes easy,” he said.