Dubai Foster Care Committee records near 100% approval rate

Dubai's Foster Care Committee has worked on 287 cases during the first half of the year, recording 98.26 per cent in judicial approval rating for its competent and accurate recommendations.

The half yearly report clocked interviews with 1,100 parties, reviewed 574 criminal records of applicants, conducted 397 field visits and prepared 38 psycho-medical reports involving children from 36 nationalities. 

The report sheds light on the Committee's role in regulating and reviewing fostering applications and cases, ensuring that judicial rulings are based on accurate documentation and reporting thus ensuring the children's protection.

The Committee was set up in 2022 to allow Emirati families to foster orphaned children or children of "unknown parentage". 

"Dubai Courts continues to develop its tools and operational mechanisms, leveraging digital technologies and advanced analytical methods," highlighted Professor Dr. Saif Ghanem Al Suwaidi, Director-General of Dubai Courts, adding that "fostering decisions are founded upon a comprehensive and objective assessment that serves the child's best interests, preserves the family's rights, and enhances its cohesion".

The Committee, "serves as an affirmation of the emirate's steadfast commitment to providing a safe and stable environment for children and ensuring that fostering placements are awarded to the most suitable party according to stringent professional criteria and meticulous procedures," added Mohammed Al Obaidli, Executive Director of the Case Management Sector at Dubai Courts

Foster parents must be Emirati nationals residing in Dubai, and be either a couple or a single woman over the age of 30. Interested fosters must be medically and mentally fit, have adequate funds and housing, as well as proof of good conduct. The UAE does not allow adoption, however, both Emiratis and residents can sponsor the living costs of children under various child programmes, led by humanitarian entities in the UAE.