The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development has issued Model Guidelines for Foster care. These guidelines are based on various provisions as laid down in the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (as amended in 2021), Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Model Rules, 2016 (as amended in 2022), Adoption Regulations, 2022 and the Mission Vatsalya Scheme of the Government of India. These guidelines are in succession of the Model Foster Care Guidelines, 2016 and the Government of India hereby notifies the Model Foster Care Guidelines 2024. The Model Foster Care Guidelines details the procedures, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, along with various aspects related to the implementation of the foster care program in the districts. What is foster care Short term, or long term Family-based care of children in need of care and protection (CNCP); as provisioned in Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 (as amended in 2021). Group Foster Care whereby a group of unrelated children are placed with a foster family or under the care of Foster Care givers in a family like setting who may/may not be having their own biological children. Group Foster Care is defined as a family like care in a fit facility for children in need of care and protection who are without parental care. Foster Adoption Foster care can be converted into adoption provided: The child has successfully completed two years in foster care with the same family. The child is legally free for adoption. Both the child and the parents have given consent for adoption. The compliance as per JJ Act, JJ Rules and Foster Care Guidelines are fulfilled. Fundamental Principles of Foster Care Children in need of care and protection may be placed in family foster care, including group foster care for their care and protection through orders of the Committee in a family which does not include the child?s biological or adoptive parents for a short or extended period of time; Best interest of the child shall be of paramount consideration while placing a child in a foster family or group foster care Preference shall be given to place the child or children in their own socio-cultural environment; Family or a family like environment is most conducive for a child and every child has the right to grow in such an environment; All decisions, initiatives and approaches falling within the scope of the present Guidelines are to be made on a case-to-case basis, based on the principles of necessity and appropriateness with a view, to ensure the child’s safety and security, and must be grounded in the best interest of the child; All decisions, initiatives and approaches must respect the child's right to be consulted and to have child's views duly taken into account in accordance with his evolving capacities; with full participation of families and legal guardians where available Siblings and twins, as far as possible, should be placed in one family or group foster careand in case siblings are to be separated in their best interest, the consent of both the siblings wherever requiredas well as approval of CWC for separation of siblings shallbe mandatory Categories of Children Eligible for Foster Care The following categories of children shall be considered for Foster Care: All children in need of care and protection (above the age group of six years) living in child care institutions (CCIs) or living in Community [as per Rule 23 (4) JJ Model Rules 2016, amended in 2022] including children under the category 'children with no visitation' and 'children having unfit guardian'; All children who do not get a family either in in-country adoption or in inter-country adoption and are placed under the category of hard to place or children having special needs as provided in the Adoption Regulations. Who can Foster a child? Persons who are Single, unmarried, widowed, divorced, or legally separated individuals Married Couples - Indian citizens, with both spouses consenting and willing to foster the same child. A stable marital relationship of at least 2 years is mandatory. Single Prospective Foster Parents (PFPs) - Single female can foster a child of any gender while single male cannot foster girl child. Based on status in CARINGS - Prospective Adoptive Parents registered on CARINGS are not eligible to foster any child. Fit and Capacitated Individuals - The Prospective Foster Parents must be physically, emotionally, mentally and financially capable. Duration of Foster Care Foster care may be for short-term or long–term depending upon the needs of the child, as provided in Rule 23 (6) and (7) of the Juvenile Justice Rules, 2016 (as amended in 2022). Duration of short–term Foster care shall be for a period of not more than one year; Duration of long–term foster care shall be for a period exceeding one year and this can be periodically extended by the Committee till the child attains eighteen years of age on the basis of assessment of the compatibility of the child with the foster family or in a group foster care setting. Rights of a Child under Foster care Child Welfare Committee, in conjunction with district and state functionaries shall ensure that the foster child?s best interest is upheld and his/her views are taken into consideration as far as possible in his/her placement as well as the individual care plan developed; Child shall have access to information on the situation of his/her biological family; Child shall have information/ access regarding government schemes and programme for his/her development. Procedure for Fostering a Child Foster Care Self- registration by Prospective Foster Parents (PFPs) on the portal. Parent/ Child related documents to be uploaded by DCPU. All requisite documents in respect of the child and the PFP will be placed before CWC. The DCPU, where the child resides, will match the child with PFPs with the approval of the concerned CWC. Order of foster care placement by CWC, as per Form 32 Undertaking by the foster family: Form 33 DCPU to upload all the documents on the portal 2. Foster Adoption District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) to recommend the proposal to State Adoption Resource Agency (SARA). SARA to recommend the proposal to CARA. CARA to issue pre-approval letter and send the proposal back to SARA. SARA to forward the proposal to DCPU. DCPU to file an adoption application in the office of District Magistrate (DM) for procuring Adoption order Issuance of Adoption order DCPU concerned to facilitate the issuance of birth certificate of child. Post-adoption follow-up report by concerned DCPU. To view the complete guidelines, click here Source : Ministry of Women and Child Development