Discover if you can change a child's life
and how a child may change yours.
What is foster care?
The basics
Foster carers provide a family life for children and young adults who can’t live with their birth parents for various reasons.
Foster parents give foster children the vital security and love they need to help them reach their potential.
How long
Foster care can range from weeks to years, depending on the circumstances.
Fostering is not the same as adopting, which is permanent. Foster care ends when the child is reunited with their birth family or when an alternative suitable care arrangement is made.
Challenge
Many children will have experienced difficulties. They need someone patient and loving who can keep them safe and strong physically and emotionally.
Don’t let this scare you, Hong Kong’s comprehensive foster care programmes provide training and support every step of the way.
Hong Kong has 900+ amazing foster care families.
We need 200 more.
FAQ
Why should I consider becoming a foster carer?
Foster caring benefits everyone involved. Many foster parents find it a challenging yet rewarding experience. They learnt more about themselves while making a life-changing positive difference to a child.
For carers with older children who have left home, becoming a foster carer can strengthen the family bond.
Younger parents can benefit too because growing up with a foster sibling can improve their own child’s social skills and encourage them to become more caring to others’ needs.
How can I know if I’ll make a good foster parent?
It’s only natural to have doubts. But most foster parents had this feeling before they began. The fact that you are interested in this shows that you are an empathetic person.
The programme provides comprehensive training and support to guide you along the way, so don’t worry.
Although foster carers have the right to terminate the arrangement whenever they wish, the dropout rate is low. This suggests that most who try find fostering to be a worthwhile experience.
What are the basic requirements?
You don't have to be a superhero to be a child's superhero. The most important qualities you need are patience and compassion.
Beyond that, the main requirements are:
- You can provide a permanent bed for the foster child (a bunk bed is OK)
- You have window grilles installed for the foster child’s safety
- You are aged 25 or above
Where can I get more more details?
Leave your contact information in the form below, or call the hotline number for a chat.
One of our friendly, knowledgeable and caring professionals at the HK Family Welfare Society will happily answer questions, and tell you about the criteria checks, screening, and matching processes.
What support do foster parents get?
Foster parents can expect a monthly home visit and a phone call from the foster child's designated social worker to see how things are going.
There’s a vibrant and supportive foster care community that runs training workshops, support groups, and experience sharing sessions. The foster care community is here to help one another.
If foster parents ever wish to go on holiday, a temporary relief home, or home leave for a few days, may be arranged.
Can I afford to do this financially?
The Hong Kong government provides financial support that comfortably covers all basic costs and expenses, allowing foster parents to focus on caring for the child and making a meaningful difference in their life.
You have the opportunity to make a huge difference in a child’s life.
Give it a chance.
Let's continue the conversation.
Email us at ntlk@hkfws.org.hk
Or call 2497 9079
Thank you. Stay in touch :-)