Fostering to change a child’s life

December 22, 2024

Support network:

Foster parent Mrs Ip acknowledges that without her family’s support, it would have been difficult for her to serve as a foster parent for 22 years.

Full assistance:

Central Foster Care Unit Officer-in-charge Tsung Ka-yee says social workers regularly contact foster families to monitor the children’s adjustment and provide appropriate support.

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Foster parent Mrs Ip (Translation):
When children feel that you treasure them, they will treasure you in return. I wish them all a happy ever after, and I will take care of them, I will not leave them. 

Voiceover:
Mr and Mrs Ip have been foster parents since 2002. Including the two children they are currently caring for,  they have fostered a total of nine, most of whom have special needs. The Ips keep every precious memory of their foster children, including thankyou cards and student handbooks, stored carefully. 

Foster parent Mrs Ip (Translation):
Most of the foster children were raised by me since they were just babies. It is hard to let them go. Watching them improve brings me great joy. Helping them become healthier and learn is truly fulfilling. This is a vocation.

Voiceover:	
 Mrs Ip recalled the rewarding but also challenging times as foster parents.

Foster parent Mrs Ip (Translation):
It was an unforgettable experience taking care of a two-month-old baby. Once I started caring for her, I realised she was experiencing severe asthma at night. We sought medical advice from a paediatrician several times but she was not getting better. She was sent to hospital, but the night she was discharged, she had difficulty breathing again. We consulted the paediatrician once more who suspected she had a lung disease. After communicating with the social worker, arrangements were made for an examination, which confirmed the diagnosis.

I also took care of another baby boy when he was less than a month old. He was very well-behaved. He is now 17-years-old and just started living in a hostel this year. Sometimes he comes back, he knows how to travel on his own. When we meet and share a meal, it brings us great joy.

This is the room I have reserved for him and he returns for a “staycation” every week. He loves this room and the cartoons here, so I keep everything ready to make him happy when he arrives. He always says he will take care of us in the future, which makes us so happy. 

Voiceover:
Mrs Ip also highlighted the positive impact fostering has had on her own two children, particularly with the support of  her husband.

Foster parent Mrs Ip (Translation):
My sons treasure the foster children. When they go out, they walk hand in hand, just like elder brothers. I am able to be a foster parent for so long thanks to my sons. My youngest son has now grown up and become a special education teacher, I am not sure if I influenced him. 

Voiceover:
There are currently 11 non-governmental organisations or NGOs providing foster services. The Social Welfare Department’s Central Foster Care Unit is responsible for overseeing and co-ordinating the provision of foster care services provided by NGOs. 

To encourage more people to become foster parents, the incentive payment for foster families was nearly doubled in April. From April to November this year, the number of enquiries about fostering increased by 35% compared to the same period last year. As of the end of November, there were over 1,000 registered foster families.

Social Welfare Department Central Foster Care Unit Officer-in-charge Tsung Ka-yee: 
Any adult, regardless of their sex, marital or employment status, can apply for becoming foster parents as long as they are healthy, committed to providing love and time for foster children, have suitable care plans and be able to provide a safe living environment and separate beds for foster children.

To ensure proper care for foster children, the SWD (Social Welfare Department) and the 11 foster care agencies  would conduct a home suitability assessment to confirm the applicants’ suitability to be foster parents, including the applicants’ family condition, childcare arrangement and ability, the commitment of the applicants and their family members to providing a foster care service, etc. Besides, all applicants must complete the pre-service training before providing the service.

The foster homes should ensure a safe and tidy living environment, including {trim: provision of window grilles or installation of secure window opening restricting devices} compliance with safety requirements for the kitchen and installation of safety devices for the balcony. Besides, there should be adequate living space, including the provision of separate beds and activity space for foster children.

Since 2002, foster parents Mrs Ip and her husband have opened their hearts and home to nine foster children, including the two currently under their care. Many of these children have special needs, but for Mrs Ip, fostering is more than just a career, it is a calling.

“When children feel that you treasure them, they will treasure you in return. I wish them all a happy ever after, and I will take care of them. I will not leave them.”

Mrs Ip cherishes every memory of her foster children, carefully keeping thank you cards and student handbooks as mementos of their time together. Reflecting on her journey, she shared: “Most of the foster children were raised by me since they were just babies. It is hard to let them go. Watching them improve brings me great joy. Helping them become healthier and learn is truly fulfilling. This is a vocation.”

Unforgettable moments

Mrs Ip recounted both the joys and challenges of fostering, in particular, a special two-month-old baby girl.

“As soon as I started caring for her, I realised she was experiencing severe asthma at night. Despite multiple consultations with a paediatrician and several hospital visits, her condition did not improve. Eventually, after discussing with a social worker, further examinations revealed the baby had a lung disease.

“It was difficult, but the process taught me so much about perseverance and love,” Mrs Ip said.

She also shared the story of a baby boy she cared for since he was less than a month old. Now 17, the boy has moved into a hostel but still visits frequently.

“He comes back for a ‘staycation’ every week. He loves the room I reserved for him, filled with his favourite cartoons. He always says he will take care of us in the future, which makes us so happy.”

Positive impact

Fostering has not only impacted the lives of the children Mrs Ip has cared for but also her own family. Her husband and two sons have played an important role in supporting her journey.

“My sons treasure the foster children. When they go out, they walk hand in hand, just like elder brothers. I have been able to foster for so long thanks to their support.”

Her youngest son has even chosen a career in special education, a path Mrs Ip believes may have been influenced by their fostering experiences.

Fostering incentive

Foster care services in Hong Kong are provided by 11 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) overseen by the Social Welfare Department’s (SWD) Central Foster Care Unit.

To encourage more people to become foster parents, the SWD nearly doubled the incentive payment for foster families in April. This led to a 35% increase in fostering enquiries from April to November compared to the same period last year. By the end of November, over 1,000 registered foster families were providing care for children in need.

According to Central Foster Care Unit Officer-in-charge Tsung Ka-yee, anyone who is healthy, committed to providing love and time for foster children, and can offer a safe living environment may apply to become a foster parent.

“Any adult, regardless of their sex, marital or employment status, can apply. Applicants must complete a home suitability assessment and pre-service training to ensure they are prepared to provide proper care.”

Foster homes must meet specific safety requirements, such as installing window grilles or safety devices for balconies. They must also provide adequate living space, including separate beds and activity areas for the children.

Tailored support

Foster parents receive a monthly incentive payment based on the type of service they provide, with additional payments for caring for children with special needs or those under the age of six.

To support foster families, the Central Foster Care Unit and 11 Foster Care Agencies offer professional assistance. Social workers conduct regular home visits, interviews, and phone check-ins to monitor the children’s adjustment and provide guidance to foster parents. For children with special educational needs, social workers also offer tailored advice, parenting support and psychological consultation services, ensuring the well-being of both the children and their caregivers.