Foster care is where children or young people are cared for by people who are not their parents or family members. Placement with a foster family is usually arranged by Child, Youth and Family, the government child protection agency. Sometimes the arrangements are made by private agencies such as Barnardos, the Open Home Foundation or an iwi social services agency.

Why are rights important?

New Zealand law and government policy sets down basic standards (“rules”) that apply to you so that you are safe when you’re in foster care. If these standards are not met the law can help you to get things changed. If you feel that your voice is not being heard or that your complaints are being ignored there are legal ways in which you can assert your rights by contacting an independent agency.

This resource tells you about your rights in foster care and how you can get things changed if you feel you are being treated unfairly or are unhappy with your care.