Every child needs a place to call home. 

Foster care is an essential service for children, youth and their families who must live apart for a period of time.  There are so many children who need your help. There are many reasons why children need to live with foster families, or adoptive families. They may be victims of physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, abandonment, emotional mistreatment, or their parents may be unable to care for them because of their own disabilities. The responsibility of the foster family is to provide a safe, healthy and nurturing environment.

When you contact the SFFA, a Recruitment Specialist will discuss fostering and answer questions you may have. Some information is required on your behalf, so that an information package can be sent directly to you containing extra information to help make your decision. Upon your request, the Ministry of Social Services will then establish a thorough home study that assesses the families’ skills, abilities and willingness to work in partnership with the Ministry of Social Services and the children’s families to ensure the safety and best interests of a child placed in their care.

Following is some information provided from the Ministry of Social Services on the process of “how to” become a foster parent.

Policy

The Ministry of Social Services shall establish a thorough home study and approval process that assesses the applicant’s ability and willingness to work in partnership with the Ministry of Social Services and children’s families to ensure the safety and best interests of a child placed in their care.

Approval of any person wishing to become a foster parent must be based on suitability to provide care for a child, as assessed through the Ministry’s home study process.  This also applies to any person who has previously been approved and is reapplying.

Approval Level:
Foster Homes must be approved by the caseworker’s supervisor.

Standards

• Applicants must attend prescribed orientation and pre-service training sessions. Observations from applicants’ participation and response to training  must form part of the home study.
• A foster home study must be completed to assess:
• suitability of the applicant to care for children;
• age, number and special needs of children that are appropriate for the foster family;
• safety and suitability of space in the home and surroundings.
• Each applicant must provide a medical report from their physician certifying that there are no health or physical conditions that would inhibit the applicant’s ability to care for children. Any costs incurred are the responsibility of the applicant.
• Reference checks must be conducted and demonstrate the suitability of each applicant.
• A criminal record check must be conducted on each applicant and any other adult over age 18, including adult children, sharing living quarters with the applicants and demonstrate the suitability of each applicant. Costs incurred will be reimbursed by the Ministry, if the applicant’s home is approved.
• The Ministry’s Automated Client Index must be checked on each applicant or other residents in the home for a history of involvement in Child and Family Services.

- A copy of the Approved Home Study report shall be provided to the foster parents

If you have any questions, or if you are interested in applying to be a foster parent, please call:  1-800-667-7002 or if you would like a package of information sent to you, call the SFFA toll free at: 1-888-276-2880 and we will be happy to assist you.