Frequently Asked Questions

Children are placed in foster care when they are no longer able to stay safely with their own natural families or kin. Children placed on MSF’s fostering scheme require a safe, stable and nurturing home environment to grow and fulfil their potential. Foster parents provide loving homes for these children and give them the care that will help them heal and grow. By being a foster parent, you will be providing a loving and caring family environment for vulnerable children in need of care. Foster parents can make a very positive impact on the lives of these children.

Our foster children have needs like any other children. They need love, shelter, food, education, security and an opportunity to play and interact with other children. As such, you must be committed to ensure that these needs are met. Qualities that make good parenting such as patience, understanding, perseverance and firmness, will help to create a good foster care relationship with the child.

As some children have been hurt by abuse or neglect, they may have more needs and thus require special attention in terms of coping with their feelings. Your patience, care and attention will help the child to cope and in time, heal and overcome their difficulties.

It depends on the living space in your home and personal capacity to care for all the children in your home. You can foster as many children and for as long as possible if you are medically fit and are assessed by MSF to be capable in meeting the needs of the children.

In fact, we have been inspired by foster parents who have been fostering children for more than 20 years! We also have foster parents who are grandparents caring for their own grandchildren as well as their foster children.

What is important is the foster parent’s dedication and desire to care for these vulnerable children, and we hope more people will open up their homes to care for these children.

Travel consent is subject to the approval of the natural parents. Should consent not be granted, the foster child will be placed in the care of another MSF-registered foster family or MSF-approved respite carer for the duration.

Physical punishment for foster children is not condoned. Instead, using positive parenting techniques such as setting boundaries, explaining consequences, time-out sessions and removing privileges will encourage good behaviour with the child.

If you have trouble coping with the behaviours of the foster child, our Foster Care Officer can work with you to resolve any issues that the foster child may be presenting.

Such changes are disruptive to the children. Before placement, MSF officers would normally work with the foster parents to assess if the placement of a particular child is a good fit. If there are issues, MSF officers will work closely with the child and the foster family to try and resolve any issues which arise. If needed, other professional services such as counselling or psychological assessments and interventions will also be provided. If all else fails however, alternative care arrangements assessed to be the best option will be made for the child.

Being patient and caring is very important when helping such children. Training on topics such as helping children with trauma and attachment issues, or with emotional and behavioural needs will be provided for foster parents. If a child requires professional help, their Child Protection Officer can refer them to a psychologist or counsellor at MSF or at a social service agency.

Letting go of the child you have cared for is one of the hardest parts of being foster parents, and it is understandable if you feel sad when your foster child has to return home. However, knowing that your foster child is now able to return to his or her natural home and live with his or her natural family is definitely a cause for joy! This is especially so when you know you have contributed to the reuniting of this family and child.