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'Foster Parenting is not a lifetime commitment to a child,
but a commitment to make fostering meaningful during a child's lifetime.'

Proposed New Zealand Foster Parent Bill of Rights

WHEREAS,
foster parents provide a critical service to the Government of New Zealand by caring for thousands of foster children every year; and

WHEREAS,
foster parents make available to the Government of New Zealand substantial financial saving each year by way of providing care to children at an extremely unrealistic low cost to the state; and

WHEREAS,
there are increasing training and registration expectations and requirements placed on foster parents; and

WHEREAS,
foster parents provide loving homes enabling children to endure the hardship associated with separation from family; and

WHEREAS,
offering the services of ones family and facilities, foster care providers tolerate tremendous sacrifice and selflessness; and

WHEREAS,
there is a need for nationwide uniformity in the effective application of foster care in New Zealand;

now, therefore;

Foster Care New Zealand Incorporated.

encourages the passage of a, Foster Parent Bill of Rights Act.

(Proposed) New Zealand Foster Parent Bill of Rights Act

  1. That CYFS and Non-Government Organisations shall treat the foster parent(s) with dignity, respect, trust and consideration as a primary provider of foster care and a member of the professional team caring for foster children.

  2. That CYFS and Non-Government Organisations shall provide the foster parent(s) with a clear explanation and understanding of the role of CYFS and private contractors and the role of the members of the child's birth family in a child's foster placement.

  3. The foster parent(s) shall be permitted to continue his/her own family values so long as the basic rights of the foster child are not set aside.

  4. The foster parent(s) shall be provided training and support for the purpose of improving skills in providing daily care and meeting the special needs of the child in foster care.

  5. Prior to the placement of a child in foster care, CYFS or Non-Government Organisations shall inform the foster parent(s) of issues relative to the child that may jeopardize the health and safety of the foster family or alter the manner in which foster care should be administered.

  6. That CYFS or Non-Government Organisations shall provide a means by which the foster parent(s) can contact CYFS twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week, for the purpose of receiving CYFS assistance.

  7. That CYFS or Non-Government Organisations shall provide the foster parent(s) timely, adequate, financial reimbursement for the quality and knowledgeable care of a child in foster care, as specified in the case plan. Provided, however, the amount of such financial reimbursement shall, each year, be subject to and restricted by the level of funding specifically allocated for such purpose by the provisions of the general appropriations act.

  8. That CYFS or Non-Government Organisations shall provide clear written explanation of the plan concerning the placement of a child in the foster parent(s) home. For emergency placements where time does not allow prior preparation of such explanation, CYFS or private contractors shall include, but is not limited to, all information regarding the child's contact with such child's birth family and cultural heritage, if so outlined.

  9. Prior to placement, CYFS or Non-Government Organisations shall allow the foster parent(s) to review written information concerning the child and allow the foster parent(s) to assist in determining if such child would be a proper placement for the prospective foster family. For emergency placements where time does not allow prior review of such information, CYFS or private contractors shall provide information as it becomes available.

  10. That CYFS or Non-Government Organisations shall permit the foster parent(s) to refuse placement within their home, or to request upon notice to CYFS or private contractors, the removal of a child from his or her home for good reason, without threat or reprisal, unless otherwise stipulated by contract or policy.

  11. That CYFS or Non-Government Organisations shall inform the foster parent(s) of scheduled meetings and staffing, concerning the foster child. The foster parent(s) shall be permitted to actively participate in the case planning and decision making process regarding the child in foster care. This may include individual service planning meetings, foster care review, individual educational planning and FGC meetings.

  12. That CYFS or Non-Government Organisations shall inform a foster parent(s) of decisions made by the courts or the child welfare agency concerning the child.

  13. That CYFS or private contractors shall solicit the input of a foster parent(s) concerning the plan of services for the child; this input shall be considered in the department's ongoing development of the plan.

  14. That CYFS or Non-Government Organisations shall permit, through written consent, the ability of the foster parent(s) to communicate with professionals who work with the foster child, including any therapists, physicians and teachers that work directly with the child.

  15. That CYFS or Non-Government Organisations shall provide information regarding the child and the child's family background and health history, in a timely manner to the foster parent(s). The foster parent(s) shall receive additional or necessary information that is relevant to the care of the child, on an ongoing basis.

  16. That CYFS or Non-Government Organisations shall provide timely, written notification of changes in the case plan or termination of the placement and the reasons for the changes or termination of placement to the foster parent(s), except in the instances of immediate response for child protective services.

  17. That CYFS or Non-Government Organisations shall notify the foster parent(s), in a complete manner, of all court hearings. This notification may include, but is not limited to, notice of the date and time of the court hearings, the name of the judge or hearing officer hearing the case, the location of the hearing, and the court docket number of the case. Such information shall be made upon CYFS or private contractors receiving of this information, or at the same time that notification is issued to birth parents. The foster parent(s) shall be permitted to attend such hearings.

  18. That CYFS or Non-Government Organisations shall provide the foster parent(s) the training for obtaining support and information concerning a better understanding of the rights and responsibilities of the foster parent(s).

  19. That CYFS or Non-Government Organisations shall consider the foster parent(s) as the possible first choice permanent parent for the child, who after being in the foster parent's home for twelve (12) months, is freed for adoption/guardianship or permanent foster care.

  20. That CYFS or Non-Government Organisations shall, in the best interest of the child and to minimise additional change, consider the former foster family as a placement option when a foster child who was formerly placed with the foster parent(s) is to be re-entered into foster care.

  21. That CYFS or Non-Government Organisations shall permit the foster parent(s) a period of respite free from placement of foster children in said family's home with follow-up contacts by the agency occurring a minimum of every two (2) months. The foster parent(s) shall provide reasonable notice, to be determined in the promulgation of rules, to CYFS or Non-Government Organisations for respite.

  22. Child abuse/neglect investigations involving the foster parent(s) shall be investigated pursuant to CYFS or Non-Government Organisations Child Protective Services policy and procedures. A Child Protective Services Case Manager from another area shall be assigned investigative responsibility. Removal of a foster child will be conducted pursuant to New Zealand Child, Youth and Family departmental policy and procedures. CYFS shall permit the Foster Allegation Support Team's (FAST) volunteers to be educated concerning the procedures relevant to investigations of alleged abuse and neglect and the rights of the accused foster parent(s). Upon receiving such training, FAST volunteers will be permitted to serve as an advocate for the accused foster parent(s). Such advocate shall be permitted to be present at all portions of investigations where the accused foster parent(s) are present, and all communication received by such advocate therein shall be strictly confidential. Nothing contained within this item shall be construed to abrogate to the provisions of New Zealand Child, Youth and Family Policy regarding procedures for investigations of child abuse and neglect by CYFS of children's services and law enforcement agencies.

  23. That CYFS or Non-Government Organisations shall provide the foster parent(s) copies of all information relative to their family and services the foster parent(s) contained in the personal foster home record upon request.

Author - Peter Foster