asked the Minister for Health his views on the difficulty that exists for foster parents in so far as the question of suitable general insurance is concerned to cover children in their care and the difficulties that could arise from possible claims against foster parents for accidents or negligence which might arise while these children are in their care; if he will make arrangements to extend the health boards' ordinary general insurance cover to deal with all children in care under the control of these health boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Insurance of Fostered Children.
139.
I am very concerned at statements which have been made recently in the media and elsewhere suggesting that foster parents could find themselves having to pay compensation to natural parents in the event of injuries occurring to foster children in their care.
These statements have alarmed many foster parents and caused much anxiety to social workers and others in health boards who are striving to develop foster care as an alternative to residential care for children. Apart from any other consideration, fears of this nature are not conductive to foster parents treating foster children as integral members of their families.
I am advised that no claim by a natural parent against a foster parent in respect of injuries to a foster child would succeed unless the foster parent was either directly responsible for the injury or had contributed to it by being negligent in not looking after the child properly.
It seems to me, therefore, that the overwhelming majority of foster parents who are doing their best to look after foster children as they would care for children of their own have absolutely no reason to fear. The only situation where a foster parent would have reason to fear is where he or she had caused or contributed to a child's injury. I am sure the Deputy will agree that it would neither be proper nor desirable for a health board to shield such persons by providing some form of indemnity to foster parents, irrespective of responsibility for the injury.