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retention of a child


If you are a foster parent for a foster child, you have the right under Civil Code section 1632(4) to apply to the family court for the foster child to remain in the foster family.

If the conditions in a foster child's family of origin do not improve within a reasonable period of time according to the assessment of the youth welfare office, the child will be placed in a foster family permanently. If the natural parents do not agree with this decision, the family court can order the child to remain in the foster family.

Requirements

In order for an application to be made to the family court for a foster child to remain in the foster family, there must be an effective request for surrender by the child's parents or by someone who has the right to determine the child's whereabouts. In order for a stay order to be issued, the court continues to consider the following requirements pursuant to Civil Code section 1632(4):

  • Has the child been living in family care "for a longer period of time" - the criterion "longer period of time" is an indeterminate legal term that is not applied equally to every family. The assessment is based on individual circumstances and the age of the child.
  • Is the physical, mental or emotional well-being of the child endangered by the removal?