Article 7 of the Saudi Child Protection Law
المادة 7 من نظام حماية الطفل · الفصل الثاني: حق الطفل في الحماية
The article gives a child who lacks a suitable family environment the right to alternative care through a foster family, or social care institutions if no family is available.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
للطفل الذي لا تتوافر له بيئة عائلية مناسبة، قد يتعرض فيها للإيذاء أو الإهمال؛ الحق في الرعاية البديلة من خلال ما يأتي:
1 - الأسرة الحاضنة التي تتولى كفالته ورعايته.
2 - مؤسسات الرعاية الاجتماعية الحكومية أو الأهلية أو الخيرية، إذا لم تتوافر أسرة حاضنة.
وتحدد اللائحة الضوابط اللازمة لذلك.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 7 explained in plain English
This article addresses the situation of a child who has no suitable family environment in which the child may be abused or neglected. It provides the right to alternative care through one of two routes, in order:
- A foster family: which takes over the sponsorship and care of the child.
- Social care institutions, whether governmental, private or charitable, if no foster family is available.
The order is intentional: institutions are resorted to only when no foster family is available, which means the text puts the family environment ahead of the institutional one.
The article does not detail the conditions for a foster family or the procedures for placement with one or with the institutions. Instead, it provides that the Implementing Regulations set the necessary rules for this, so the details are found there.
This article complements Article 6, which provides the child's right to protection from all forms of abuse or neglect: if the family environment itself is the source of danger, alternative care is the means of that protection. Anyone who wishes to foster a child or faces a dispute over a child's care can consult a lawyer who specializes in personal status cases.
Practical example
A child in Medina has lost both parents and has no relatives able to care for them. Under this article the child has the right to alternative care: a foster family takes over the child's sponsorship, and if no foster family is available the child is placed in a governmental, private or charitable social care institution.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Active contributorFrequently asked questions about Article 7 of the Saudi Child Protection Law
What is alternative care for a child?
It is the care of a child who lacks a suitable family environment, through a foster family that takes over the child's sponsorship and care, or through social care institutions if no foster family is available.
When is a child placed in a care home?
Under the article, governmental, private or charitable social care institutions come in if no foster family is available.
Where do I find the conditions for a foster family?
The article refers to the Implementing Regulations to set the necessary rules.
More articles on Child Rights and Alternative Care
- Article 5
The article provides that the child has priority in enjoying protection, care and relief in all circumstances.
للطفل - في جميع الأحوال - أولوية التمتع بالحماية والرعاية والإغاثة.
- Article 6
The article provides the child's right to protection from all forms of abuse or neglect.
للطفل الحق في الحماية من كل أشكال الإيذاء أو الإهمال.
- Article 15Amended by M/72
The article makes the parents or whoever cares for the child responsible for the child's upbringing and protection within their capabilities, guarantees visitation rights on separation, and gives the mother the right to custody unless a court judgment provides otherwise.
1- يعد والدا الطفل - أو أحدهما ، أو من يقوم على رعايته - مسؤولين في حدود إمكاناتهما المالية وقدراتهما عن تربيته وضمان حقوقه، والعمل على توفير الرعاية له، وحمايت
- Article 16
The article requires all authorities to take the child's interest into account and expedite procedures concerning the child, and to consider the child's mental, psychological, physical, upbringing and educational needs.
على جميع الجهات مراعاة مصلحة الطفل في جميع الإجراءات التي تتخذ في شأنه والإسراع في إنجازها، ومراعاة حاجاته العقلية، والنفسية، والجسدية، والتربوية، والتعليمية، ب
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.