More the merrier in foster parenting drive

Foster parenting is seen by Secretary for Labor and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han as crucial to providing care for vulnerable children.

In a ceremony organized by the Social Welfare Department and 11 non-governmental organizations subsidized for operating such care services, Sun presented awards to 260 foster families.

Among them, 18 stood out for caring for children for a quarter of a century, while 180 families had filled the service niche for periods of between five and 20 years.

Under the theme "amplifying love through one-plus-one," Sun emphasized the importance of supporting the "one-plus-one" recruitment scheme, under which people interested in serving needy children are encouraged to submit applications together with families and friends.

By allowing people and their relatives to care for the same foster child, the scheme enables them to support one another when temporary circumstances prevent one caregiver from looking after the child.

"This approach not only fosters mutual support among peers and families but also eliminates the need to relocate a foster child to an unfamiliar living environment," Sun said.

As of last month, each foster family receives an incentive payment of about HK$11,000 a month, more than double the around HK$5,000 previously paid.

Also, the incentive for emergency foster care service has risen from HK$6,600 to about HK$13,000 a month.

Additional support will also be provided to foster families caring for children with special learning or care needs.

Sun expressed hope these initiatives would show the community's support and appreciation for foster families.

A video introducing the "one-plus-one" scheme was showcased at the ceremony, and it is also available for viewing on the department's YouTube channel.

Those interested in becoming foster parents can contact its Central Foster Care Unit on 2573-2282.