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KOTA KINABALU – The selection process for adoptive parents is tightened to ensure that they are truly qualified and suitable, said Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
In this regard, she said a new guideline book was introduced as a reference to evaluate the eligibility of parties intending to be guardians.
“These guidelines were created to ensure the placement suitability of children under adoptive parents or people who are qualified and suitable (OYLS).
“Under these guidelines, the Social Welfare Department has introduced a screening system for the Personality Psychological Assessment, which is a psychological measurement tool designed to provide scientific data about an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviour,” she said when launching the new guideline book here today.
Nancy said through the assessment, the suitability of adoptive parents in the aspect of care and protection of children can be examined in more detail.
She said the state-level Child Placement Panel Committee for OYLS had also been created and is chaired by the state Social Welfare Department directors to ensure the suitability of the placement of adoptive parents, taking into account various aspects.
Meanwhile, she said the ministry through the department had handled a total of 6,781 cases involving abuse (physical, sexual, and emotional abuse) and neglect, last year.
“To date, a total of 185 assistant community development officers have been appointed and gazetted in the first phase of 2021 and the appointment of 158 officers will continue in 2023,” she added. – Bernama, March 11, 2023