Final answer:
To place a child in a non-licensed setting legally, a counselor must obtain legal approval or exemption for the placement. This step is crucial to ensure the child's welfare, often after background checks on caregivers and consultations with biological parents.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prior to the placement of a child in a non-licensed setting, the counselor MUST obtain legal approval or exemption for the placement. This process includes ensuring the safety of the child by conducting necessary background checks on caregivers and consulting with the child's biological parents where possible. It's important to note that while parents can provide consent on behalf of their children, children are not legally competent to consent for themselves. In some cases, the state or city child welfare department may be involved, especially when the child's biological parents are unable to care for them due to various serious issues.
Non-relative foster parents and kinship foster parents provide care under the guidance and supervision of relevant agencies. These caretakers adhere to certain guidelines and usually receive financial support for providing care. Legal approval is essential in formalizing these arrangements and ensuring the child's safety and welfare in the new living situation.