What are safety parents?
Safety parents act as temporary safe care placements for children legally removed
from the care of their parents or caregivers due to circumstances which may have
placed their wellbeing and safety at risk.
These vulnerable and at risk children are placed in temporary care through the
Children’s Court until such time that an alternative placement option can be
considered.
What is the difference between safety parents and foster parents?
Safety parents offer a short term, emergency placement for a child where there is
reason to believe that a child is in need of care and protection. It provides safe
accommodation pending a children’s court investigation and decision regarding
placement options. If a child is found to be in need of care and protection after the
investigation, the child may be placed into a longer term placement such as foster
care, under the supervision of a designated social worker, for a period of 2 years,
which can be extended if needed.
Why are safety parents and foster parents so important?
When children need alternative care, the ideal is to place children in a family system
where they can receive individual care and stimulation and also to keep siblings
together. This is not always possible due to a shortage of safety parents.
What are the requirements to become a safety parent for children in
need of care and protection?
-You must be willing to be screened and trained as a safety parent.
-You must be resident within the area where the child(ren) reside.
-You must speak two official languages, which includes English.
-Prospective safety parents must have an interest in the development of any child in
need of care, be available for emergency placements which may be during or after
working hours, and understand that there are no financial benefits other than
compensation for basic costs of care.
Persons interested in becoming safety/foster parents can contact Sjean Smit on 021 987
2940 or send an email to info@badisatrio.co.za
Please join our Facebook page and watch our safety parent video, which will also help to
answer any questions that prospective safety/foster parents may have.
https://www.facebook.com/BadisaTrio/posts/1833292636810375
