New foster care bill gives children a voice

The new bill on foster care will empower children, Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Anastasia Anthousi, has said.

The bill that was approved on Wednesday by the Council of Ministers will soon be tabled before the House of Representatives for voting.

In statements on the issue, the Deputy Minister said that "the most important and essential thing that is achieved through this new bill is the empowerment of the child's own voice throughout the foster care process".

In this way, she added, it is ensured that children will be placed in foster families that are suitable for their development and well-being, protecting their interests and increasing the psycho-social benefits for them.

It is noted that in Cyprus there are 167 foster families while the number of children under the care of the Social Welfare Services amounts to approximately 1,500, of which 1,200 are unaccompanied minor applicants for international protection.