Becoming a foster parent in South Carolina involves meeting specific state standards for the safety and well-being of children. The South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) sets these requirements for anyone wanting to provide foster care.1South Carolina Department of Social Services. Foster Care Overview The licensing process includes several steps to assess the home environment and prospective caregivers, aiming to create stable placements. This overview details the requirements for becoming a licensed foster home in the state.
Physical Environment Standards
Foster homes must be clean, safe, and free from hazards. This includes working smoke detectors, at least one fire extinguisher, and secure, separate locked storage for firearms and ammunition.2South Carolina Code of Regulations. Section 114-550 – Licensure of Family Foster Homes All rooms children use must have adequate heating, lighting, and ventilation. Safe and sanitary bathing and toilet facilities with hot and cold running water are necessary. Outdoor play areas must be hazard-free and age-appropriate. Swimming pools, hot tubs, or other bodies of water need barriers like fencing and locking gates to prevent unsupervised access.
Required Background Checks
DSS requires comprehensive background checks for all foster parent applicants and any other adult living in the home. These checks are also part of ongoing monitoring and re-licensing. The screening includes a state criminal history check by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and a national fingerprint-based criminal history check through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).3South Carolina Department of Social Services. Foster Care Licensing Manual The process also involves a search of child abuse and neglect registries. DSS checks its Central Registry and, if an applicant has lived in other states within the past five years, those states’ registries.4Child Welfare Information Gateway. Background Checks for Prospective Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship Caregivers – South Carolina Certain criminal convictions or substantiated findings of child abuse or neglect can lead to the denial of a foster care license.
Mandatory Pre-Service Training
Prospective foster parents must complete mandatory pre-service training after initial screenings. This program provides knowledge and skills to care for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. DSS requires this training before a child can be placed in the home.5South Carolina Department of Social Services. Foster Parent Training Guidelines 2024 The curriculum covers child development, the impact of trauma, managing challenging behaviors, and understanding the foster care system, including roles of foster parents and caseworkers. Training also addresses DSS policies, legal frameworks, working with biological families, reunification goals, and court processes. This training prepares individuals to provide a supportive environment for children.
Occupancy and Household Composition
DSS has guidelines for the number of people in a foster home and household makeup. A foster home may care for no more than five foster children, though DSS may approve exceptions to keep sibling groups together.6Justia Law. South Carolina Code Section 63-7-2400 – Number of Foster Children Who May Be Placed in a Foster Home (2024) The total number of children in the home, including the foster parents’ own children, is limited to eight under eighteen. Each child in foster care needs their own bed or crib and space for personal belongings. Children over one year old may not share a bedroom with an adult, unless a documented and DSS-approved need exists. Children of different sexes over age six are not allowed to share a bedroom, though DSS may grant exceptions for siblings.7South Carolina Department of Social Services. Foster Family Handbook Unrelated older foster children are not permitted to share a bedroom. Any changes in household composition, like a new adult moving in, must be reported to DSS promptly. These new adult members will undergo background checks.
Ongoing License Updates
A foster care license in South Carolina is issued for a specific period and requires renewal. DSS oversees this re-licensing, which involves a reassessment of the foster home and caregivers. During renewal, DSS re-evaluates the home, including an updated assessment of the physical environment. Significant changes, such as new adult members, are reviewed, and these individuals will undergo background checks. Maintaining a license also involves ongoing training. Foster parents must complete a specific number of training hours annually.8South Carolina Department of Social Services. Foster Parent and Provider Education Plan Documentation of this training is required for renewal, and failure to meet these requirements can affect license status.
Foster parents must inform DSS of significant changes in their household or circumstances, including:
- Changes in household membership
- Significant health issues affecting caregivers
- Changes in employment that might impact caregiving ability
- Any arrests involving household members
Prompt reporting allows DSS to assess potential impacts on foster children and provide necessary support.