Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh has said government will expand the national foster care programme this year, with the aim of placing more children in stable family homes.
The programme became operational last year and to date some 69 children have been permanently placed in foster homes.
Singh mentioned that budgetary allocations are set aside for the Childcare and Protection Agency to continue to execute its mandate of offering care and support for vulnerable children. He said that the Agency responded to a string of child abuse cases last year, resulting in 360 children being moved from abusive situations.
Singh noted that the recently constructed Sophia Care Centre for children is expected to become operational in the first quarter of this year. He said too that of the children under the Agency’s care, 108 were reintegrated into their families’ homes in 2010.
In addition, the Minister said that government will continue to extend the protections for children through the passing of two additional pieces of legislation governing child care. He added that child protection officers are now being trained in foster care, case management, specialised counselling and play therapy, in an effort to improve their competence and quality of service.
