WHAT IS FOSTER CARE?

It refers to the provision of planned temporary substitute parental

care to a child by a foster parent.

WHO IS FOSTER PARENTS?

A person duly licensed by the DSWD to provide foster care.

FEATURES OF FOSTER FAMILY CARE?

It is temporary.
 Short Term Placement – less than six (6) months
 Long Term Placement – six months or more
DURATION OF FOSTER CARE
• Emergency Foster Care- the immediate placement of a
child to either a licensed or not licensed foster family due to
the urgent need of the child to be under immediate
substitute parental care. Those not licensed shall be
immediately assessed by the social worker.
• Short Term- the placement of a child for a period of six
months or less as assessed by a social worker
• Long Term- the placement of a child to a foster home for
more than a year which may be due to various reasons
WHO ARE THE CHILDREN ELIGIBLE FOR FOSTER
CARE?
Children from infancy to below 18 years of age who are under any of the
following circumstances:

• Under the custody of DSWD or any child placement agency and are not yet
legally free for adoption but need individual attention in a family setting
• Abandoned by parents or with relatives who are not qualified or incapable
to care for them
• Awaiting for adoptive placement
• In need of special care & protection due to abuse (physical & sexual)
• With developmental or physical disabilities
CAN ONE CHOOSE THE AGE AND GENDER OF THE
CHILD ON SHOULD LIKE TO FOSTER?
YES. The foster family’s preference in terms of “age, gender & other
information” shall be considered. But the paramount consideration is
the best welfare & interest of the child.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FOSTER CARE AND

ADOPTION
FOSTER CARE provides a safe, temporary home for the children in
need while ADOPTION provides children with a permanent family.
HOW LONG DOES THE PROCESS
TAKES?
• The time it takes to become an eligible foster parent varies. The
application form can typically be completed in a couple of hours. The
assessment can take several weeks or months to complete. The
placement of a child can be few weeks to over a year in some cases.

GROUNDS TO TERMINATE
PLACEMENT
• Return of the child to his/her biological family
• Placement for adoption
• Referral to another foster family or residential facility/institution
• Death of child/foster parent
• Expiration of Foster Placement Authority
• Placement is detrimental/ harmful for the welfare of the child
WHO MAY ADOPT?
Any Filipino citizen or alien residing in the Philippines who has the
qualifications under the Act may adopt of he/she:
1. Legal Age
2. Is at least 16 years older than the adoptee, except when the adopter is
the biological parent or sibling of the adoptee or the spouse of adoptee’s
parent
3. Has the capacity to act and assume all the rights and duties incident to
the exercise of parental authority
4. Is of good moral character and has not been convicted of any crime
involving moral turpitude
5. Is in position to support, educate and care for his/her legitimate and
illegitimate children and the child to be adopted
6. Has undergone pre-adoption services as required by the Act