A Foster Care Order lasts for two years, after which both the family and child are reevaluated to see if the child can safely be returned.

1. What happens if the child can not safely be returned to his or her family after two years?
2. What happens if a Foster Care Order expires?
3. What can a foster parent do to prevent a Foster Care Order from lapsing?

The child will be returned to foster care and the Foster Care Order extended for another two years.

In cases where the parents' situation has worsened to the point that there is no hope the child will ever be safely returned, the child may be put up for adoption.

If a Foster Care Order lapses or is not renewed, the child in question is no longer under the legal care of his or her foster parents and should immediately go back to his or her parents or guardian.

In order for a Foster Care Grant to be reviewed, a social worker must submit a foster care supervision report no later than three months before the two-year period expires.

If no social worker has contacted you about four months before the two-year term expires, please contact the District Welfare Office closest to you or the social worker who placed the child with you for an appointment.

It is a good idea to make this appointment outside of school hours and take the child along when you go to it as the social worker must also speak to the child. The social worker may also ask to meet you in your home.

When you meet the social worker, you will need to supply the following documentation:

• A school report
• A school attendance certificate filled in by the child's class teacher/school principal in this format
• A profile of the foster child attending the school filled in by the child's class teacher/school principal in this format.

NOTE TO FOSTER PARENTS

The provincial Department of Social Development is aware that there is a considerable backlog in the review process and is doing everything in its power to address the problem.