As a foster parent in Rijswijk, you have certain rights and obligations. You are responsible for the daily care of the child, while parental authority often remains with the biological parents or a guardian. Over time, your rights may increase.
Daily Care and Upbringing
Foster parents bear responsibility for the child's daily needs:
- Food, rest, and shelter
- School transportation and support
- Supervision of hobbies and leisure time
- Minor medical care
- Educational choices in daily life
Authorities and Parental Authority
| Who decides | Type of decisions |
|---|---|
| Foster parents | Routine matters and house rules |
| Biological parents/guardian | Important choices: education, health, religion |
| Joint consultation | Travel, sports activities, major expenses |
Right to Access and Information
As a foster parent, you have the right to essential information about:
- The child's history
- Health records
- Reasons for the placement
- The care and guidance plan
- Arrangements for parental contact
Veto Right after One Year
After one year of care provision, you obtain the veto right, which entails:
- The child cannot be relocated without your consent
- You can object to reunification with the parents
- In case of disagreement, the court decides
Application for Foster Guardianship
For a long-term placement, you can consider foster guardianship:
- More influence on important decisions
- Less interference from external parties
- The parental authority of the parents is terminated
- Support remains accessible
Obligations as a Foster Parent
- Raise the child with care and attention
- Facilitate contact with the biological parents
- Cooperate with the family guardian or guardian
- Provide updates on the child's progress
- Comply with the care plan
Problems and Complaints Handling
In case of conflicts or questions, you can contact:
- Your contact person at foster care
- The complaints department of the foster care agency
- The Children's Ombudsman for advice
- The AKJ (Advice and Complaints Bureau for Youth Care)
Can I go on vacation abroad with my foster child?
For this, you must request permission from the person with parental authority (parents or guardian). In the case of a compulsory placement, approval from the involved institution is also required. Arrange this in good time.What happens if the parents demand the child back?
With the veto right (after 1 year), you can prevent reunification. The court determines what is in the best interest of the child. Without this right, parents often have priority for reunification.Is adoption of my foster child an option?
Adoption is possible in exceptional cases, but requires that the parental authority of the parents has been terminated. Consult your foster care contact person about the options.Frequently Asked Questions about Foster Care in Rijswijk
Which choices can I make as a foster parent?
You may handle everyday matters, such as house rules, meals, bedtime, and leisure time. For major matters (such as school choice or medical treatments), permission from the parents or guardian is required. Consult the family guardian in case of doubt. Vacations and major purchases are often discussed together, always with the child first.
How does the veto right work and how do I obtain it?
You automatically receive this right after one year of care for the foster child, without application. It means the child cannot be relocated without your consent. In a dispute over reunification, the court decides. This provides security, but you remain responsible for the welfare.
Can I as a foster parent apply for full guardianship?
Yes, for a long-term placement, foster guardianship is possible. This gives you more control over important choices and limits interference from agencies. The parental authority of the parents then ends. Contact your foster care supervisor for advice. Support remains available thereafter.
What if the parents no longer want contact with the child?
Discuss this with your foster care supervisor and the family guardian. Contact is often crucial for the child, unless there are serious reasons to stop it. In compulsory placements, the court decides. You must support contact unless it is harmful to the child.
Which data must I share with the family guardian?
You must regularly provide updates on the development, such as school results, behavior, and health. This helps in adjusting the care and guidance for the child.
Local Support in Rijswijk: For legal questions, you can go to the Juridisch Loket Rijswijk. In court cases, this falls under the District Court of The Hague (district).