Cap. 491 Art. 3Establishment of the Fostering Board.

(1) There shall be a Board, known as the Fostering Board, which shall be composed of a Chairperson and a minimum of another four members. This Board shall be composed of the following:

(a) professionals representing different disciplines; and

(b) a person who, in the opinion of the Minister, has adequate knowledge and is proficient in the area of foster care.

(2) The Minister shall endeavour to have a person over the age of eighteen years who was placed in foster care and a person who is or was a foster carer as part of the Fostering Board and such persons may be appointed at any time during the term of office of the Fostering Board.

(3) The members of the Fostering Board shall be appointed by the Minister for a minimum period of two years.

(4) Any member of the Fostering Board may be removed from office by the Minister on grounds of inability to perform the functions of their office or of misbehaviour.

(5) In the event that any member of the Fostering Board vacates his office before completing his term, the member appointed in his stead shall be so appointed for the unexpired period of the original appointment.

(6) The Minister shall designate a person to act as Secretary to the Fostering Board and such person shall, as part of his duties, be responsible for the keeping of the relevant records and shall carry out such other work related to the functions of the Fostering Board as may be instructed by the Chairperson.

(7) Subject to the provisions of this Act and to any regulations made thereunder, the Fostering Board shall regulate its own procedure: Provided that any decision of the Fostering Board shall be taken by a majority of votes; however in the case of an equality of votes the Chairperson shall have and exercise a determining vote. The Secretary to the Board shall not vote.

(8) The Fostering Board shall meet as and when necessary, provided it meets at least once every month. In the case of a written request by the Minister or by an accredited agency, which request shall be transmitted through the Secretary of the Board, such Board shall meet by not later than forty eight hours following the request.

(9) The Fostering Board shall have the power to consult professionals or other persons having relevant knowledge and disclose to any third party any information which may come to their knowledge during the proceedings. These persons shall also not distribute to any third party any document pertaining to the Fostering Board or any copies thereof, unless requested or duly authorised to do so by the Minister or by any court of law.

(11) The Fostering Board shall submit to the Minister an annual report of all its activities during the preceding calendar year by not later than the fifteenth April of each year.