What the newly licensed Foster Families Association means for child welfare in Abu Dhabi

Dubai: A new step to strengthen the foster care system has been taken as the Department of Community Development (DCD) in Abu Dhabi has granted a licence to the Foster Families Association.

The public benefit organisation has been set to operate as a community-driven entity, promoting a culture of family fostering while ensuring that children in care grow up in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment.

Building a stronger foster care ecosystem

The move has reflected DCD’s commitment to reinforce national priorities aimed at strengthening Emirati families and promoting social cohesion and solidarity.

Moreover, the association is expected to help develop an integrated foster care ecosystem by working closely with government entities and specialised organisations in psychological, social, and educational fields.

According to Mubarak Al Ameri, executive director of the social licensing and control sector at DCD, licensing the association aligns with the department’s mandate to "govern and oversee" public benefit organisations in the emirate.

"Empowering specialised entities to operate within a robust regulatory environment enhances the quality of social services, while reinforcing family stability and social cohesion across Abu Dhabi," said Al Ameri.

Al Ameri has also described the license as a "significant milestone" that will raise awareness of fostering and provide essential support to foster families.

"These efforts contribute to ensuring a safe and supportive family environment for children in care through a comprehensive system of psychological and social support, enabling their healthy development and positive integration into society."

Focus on child-centred care

For her part, Huda Al Meshjari, founding member of the Foster Families Association, has highlighted the importance of raising awareness about the rights of children in foster care.

She has noted that this is a crucial step in delivering child-centred care that meets their diverse needs while protecting them from abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

"Over the long term, the association aims to deepen a culture of family fostering through specialised training programmes, workshops, and awareness initiatives that outline the rights, duties, and responsibilities of foster families," stated Al Meshjari.

Additionally, the DCD will share success stories of family fostering to build public trust and encourage wider community participation in supporting children in need.