What Are The Rights of Foster Parents?

Fostering is when a child who is unable to stay with his or her own parents is placed in the care, short-term or long-term, with another family. Although they are responsible for the day-to-day care of a child, a foster parent does not have the same rights as the biological parents of a child.

As a foster parent is only a temporary guardian, they do not have any rights as to the child’s wellbeing unless they adopt the child. In the eyes of the law, the responsibility for the wellbeing of a child in care falls squarely at the feet of the Local Authority. Before the child is placed under the care of a foster parents, the Local Authority will explain what rights and authority they have when it comes to the child's care.

Day-to-Day Care

A foster parent is responsible for the day-to-day care of a child in their care but only within the confines of their own home. They cannot take the children away from their local area without prior permission, and cannot instigate any kind of activity which might be perceived by the Local Authority as not in their best interests.

Can The Local Authority Make Decisions About A Child’s Education?

Yes, they can but only if there are sufficient grounds to do so, or if there is a danger that the child may come to some harm staying at their current school. A Local Authority may be able to re-school the child if they can establish beyond any reasonable doubt that they will be at the same or greater level of risk as before.

It should be made clear at this point, however, that the foster parents have no control or overall say as to whether this is the case or not, and must abide by the wishes of the Local Authority. However, they can comment if they feel the child would benefit from such a move but the Local Authority does have the final say.

What Happens If The Child is Involved In an Accident?

If the child is involved in an accident, the foster parent would be contacted as the child’s Temporary Guardian. However, they cannot make decisions as to the nature of any medical treatment that may be required by the child, and again this falls to the Local Authority to make a decision in the absence of a parent.

If there has been previous provision made for medical treatment in the event of a particular set of circumstances, the Local Authority must apply to the courts for an injunction to stop this medical treatment going ahead if they feel it is not in the child’s best interests.

For more information on fostering and how foster parents are required to care for children in their charge, you should contact your Local Authority.