Abu Dhabi grants licence to Foster Families Association, offers children support

Abu Dhabi has granted a licence to the Foster Families Association to operate as a public benefit organisation in the emirate, a move officials and advocates say will expand access to family fostering and strengthen protections for children in care. The licence, announced by Khaleej Times on 31 March 2026 and updated 1 April 2026, positions the newly recognised association to work with families, government entities and specialised organisations across psychological, social and educational fields to provide safe, stable and nurturing environments for foster children.

"Raising community awareness of the rights of children in foster care is a critical step toward ensuring comprehensive, child‑centred care that meets their diverse needs, while maintaining effective protection measures against any form of abuse, neglect or exploitation," said Huda Al Meshjari, Founding Member of the Foster Families Association.

Context and mandate

The association will function as a community‑driven entity dedicated to promoting a culture of family fostering and ensuring the positive upbringing and holistic wellbeing of children placed in foster care. According to the announcement, the licence is intended to develop an integrated ecosystem for foster family care by strengthening collaboration with government bodies and specialised organisations in mental health, social services and education.

• The organisation plans to run specialised training programmes and workshops for prospective and current foster families.
• Awareness initiatives will outline the rights, duties and responsibilities of foster families to build public confidence in the system.
• The association will highlight successful family fostering stories to showcase positive outcomes and encourage broader community participation.

Officials framed the licence as a significant milestone for Abu Dhabi’s foster care ecosystem. By allowing specialised organisations to play a larger role, the emirate aims to increase both the supply of qualified foster carers and the level of psychosocial support available to children in care. The move also complements other recent child welfare measures in the UAE, including the launch of initiatives such as the Mother of the Nation Endowment to support orphaned children.

Huda Al Meshjari emphasised the dual priorities of awareness-raising and protection, signalling the association’s intent to balance community engagement with rigorous safeguarding. The association’s activities are expected to address gaps in knowledge about foster care processes, clarify legal and practical responsibilities for foster families, and provide training that covers the emotional and developmental needs of fostered children.

Outlook

With its new licence, the Foster Families Association will begin building partnerships with government agencies and service providers to roll out training, workshops and public campaigns. The association’s focus on showcasing positive fostering stories aims to increase community trust and recruitment of foster families, while the collaboration with psychological and educational specialists seeks to improve outcomes for children in care. As the association scales its programmes, observers will be watching for measurable increases in foster placements, the quality of support services, and broader engagement from the Abu Dhabi community.

Written by Laraib Anwer