Kin refers to one’s close family or relations. An important part of our vision centres around placing children in families and giving them a place to call home.

The Kin team consists of a handful of full-time staff and numerous other volunteers, consisting of a social worker, the medical professionals, teachers, therapists, business professionals and house parents.

We are located at Hoopenberg Farm, Klapmuts, Cape Town.

You have to attend the court in the juridical area where the child is from. You cannot choose the court.

You can buy a hard copy at Juta, download a softcopy at www.dsd.gov.za, or download the App on your mobile devic

Due to the fact that the foster child is under the care and supervision of the State, there would be an investigation by social workers to determine whether the death of the child occurred due to negligence by the foster parent. In many cases the death occurs due to natural/medical causes. It’s always important to keep medical records and keep your social worker informed of any health/medical concerns so that they are aware. Obviously your social worker would need to be informed immediately if a death did occu

The Children’s Act states that children of 10 years of age (if they are deemed to be able to understand the consequences of the decision) may give consent to their adoption. However, it needs to be noted that a child is still consider a minor until they are 18 years old, so their decision alone will not be the only deciding factor in any decisions concerning the placement of the child. For example, in the case where a child indicates that they want to be placed with an abusive biological parent – this would not be deemed in the best interest of the child. Therefore, there needs to be a balance of evidence to any decision so that the best interest of the child is always the guiding factor in any decisions about placements/care of children.

The Children’s Act focusses on the best interest of the CHILD, so in the same way that contact with the biological parents may be supervised or managed (depending on the situation), in the same way social workers will determine what is in the best interest of the child. For example, will having contact with the foster parent possibly disrupt the placement with the biological family. Where foster parents desire to stay in contact the best is to ask the social worker whether a meeting can be set up with the biological parents, social worker and foster parents to allow for agreements about possible contact/visits. It often is very valuable for the foster parents to remain involved, but an upfront agreement ensures clarity on everyone’s wishes and roles.

The superintendent of a hospital or the person in charge of the hospital in the absence of the superintendent may consent to the medical treatment of or a surgical operation on a child if
The treatment or operation is necessary to preserve the life of the child or to save the child from serious or lasting physical injury or disability; and
The need for the treatment or operation is so urgent that it cannot be deferred for the purpose of obtaining consent that would otherwise have been required.
The Minister may consent to the medical treatment of or surgical operation on a child ir the parent or guardian of the child
Unreasonably refuses to give consent or to assist the child in giving consent
Is incapable of giveing consent or of assisting the child in giving consent
Cannot readily be traced, or
Is deceased
(Sec 129 (6)&(7)).

YesYes.

It depends on your medical aid, but most medical aids will add a child when you have a valid court order placing the child in your foster care.

The’ Minister’ means the Cabinet member responsible for social development.

A trained and specialised social worker or psychologist.

A child may consent to his or her own medical treatment and medical operation or to the medical treatment and operation of his or her child if the child is older than 12 years and is of sufficient maturity and has the mental capacity to understand the benefits, risks, social and other implications of the treatments, and is duly assisted by his or her parent of guardian.
The Minister may consent to the medical treatment of or surgical operation on a child if the chid unreasonably refuses to give consent (Sec 129 (2),(3) &(8)).

Becoming a foster parent means you become the long-term legal guardian of a child in need. While you might want to chat to our social worker about the idea of becoming a foster parent, you can also visit our CARE page if you’ve already made up your mind.

A child placed in foster care does not automatically mean they can be adopted. There are specific circumstances on the biological parents’ part which would make the child eligible for adoption. Please have a chat to our social worker (nandi@kinculture.org) should you wish to adopt rather than foster.

Due to the fact that the foster child is under the care and supervision of the State, there would be an investigation by social workers to determine whether the death of the child occurred due to negligence by the foster parent. In many cases the death occurs due to natural/medical causes. It’s always important to keep medical records and keep your social worker informed of any health/medical concerns so that they are aware. Obviously your social worker would need to be informed immediately if a death did occu

The Children’s Act specifies that the child’s religion needs to be considered when placing a child, however when this is not possible then a child may be placed with someone of a different religion. As a Christian foster parent you need to be upfront so that the social worker is aware of this, fortunately in South Africa this does not discriminate your ability to be a foster parent

You can buy a hard copy at Juta, download a softcopy at www.dsd.gov.za, or download the App on your mobile devic

Usually a child in need of care is first placed in safe care for a 90 day period while the social worker investigates the situation, when family reunification is not an option the child will then be placed in foster care or adoption. Every child’s need/situation is different, so it would be child dependant. If you as a carer have a preference such as you want to adopt instead of safety care, then you need to apply accordingly as when social workers place children in your care they need to know your willingness or your boundaries towards future care of a child

You have to attend the court in the juridical area where the child is from. You cannot choose the court.

Police clearance and form 30’s are valid for six months, however most Designated Child Protection Organisations (DCPO) only require updated Police Clearance and Form 30’s every two years. When there is a change of address the social worker from the DCPO that operates within the residential area needs to do a home visit (if you change suburbs then you may move out of the allocated area for one DCPO into another organisations area).

All persons working with children in alternative care need to be suitable to work with children – Section 120 of Children’s Act. Each DCPO have different requirements, but the minimum should be police clearance and Form 30.

Yes, the person taking care of the child must be suitable to work with children as in question 7. Again the social worker placing the child will need to look at the best interest of the baby. If it is best that the child is placed with a foster parent(s) that can offer a stable home, even though they work full time, then that is the best placement for the baby.

The social worker for the child needs to apply for the birth certificate as part of the court procedure, it is the social worker’s responsibility to apply for the birth certificate as a court report (from the social worker) is needed by Home Affairs to issue the birth certificate. Foster parents needs to insist that they are provided with the original birth certificate when taking the child into their care.

It depends entirely on your extended family. The best advice is to always start earlier explaining your plans to foster and allowing time for questions from family members. Remember you have taken time to think about, find out information, pray about your decision to foster. In the same way extended family also needs time to process the information and indeed even address issues around race/culture differences

It depends on your family and capacity. We do recommend taking in foster children younger than your youngest biological child when you have biological children.

A lifestory book is a practical and child friendly way to explain to a child placed in alternative care (foster care/adoption) about the reasons for placement (background history). It also encourages attachment with the foster family as it allows for open discussions around the placement.

You cannot necessarily choose long term foster care, sometimes it seems that a child may be able to be returned to biological parents, but after a period of time due to different circumstances this may not be possible. Usually after the 2 year period when an extension of the foster placement is done it may be recommended that the child remains in foster care until the child is 18 years old. Some foster children may become ‘adoptable’ that means that the best interest of the child may be that the child is adopted. In such a case this definitely ensures stability in the child’s life. However, the reality in South Africa is that foster children receive a grant and free State schooling and often that is a deciding factor, especially if you have more than one foster child.

Biological children also need to be prepared and allowed time to understand and accept foster care. Many biological children need time to adjust and express emotions related to the new foster sibling, in much the same way when an additional l child joins the family. Parents need to allow for open discussions, questions and also to ensure that your biological child knows that you love them and that your love for them will not diminish due to another child.

Yourself.

Yes, you just need to inform and get approval from your social worker and include the following details:
When you will leave
Where you will be staying
Contact detail
When you will return

It is important that children remain in contact with their biological families when it is in the best interest of the child. All contact have to be arranged by and through the case manager. Contact usually happens at a neutral venue.

Foster children are exempt from school fees at public schools – need to fill in application form at the school
Foster receive free medical care at Government health services

Yes, however you do need to register the child with DOE.

Kin Culture offers many ways for volunteers to get involved, while we have specific needs relating to therapy and education for our children we also require various professional skills to ensure that we move forward as an organisation. Please contact info@kinculture.org for an update on volunteer opportunities.

All donations made to Kin Culture are tax deductible and we are able to issue a Section 18A certificate in this regard. Make your donation today by visiting our DONATE page.

There are many ways for you to give to Kin Culture. You can give anything from supplies for babies, kids’ clothes or even used furniture. If you are unsure it is best to contact us directly on info@kinculture.org or (+27) 83 270 7774.