Foster parents wanted

Situations may arise where parents are temporarily or indefinitely unable to educate, care for and provide for their children in an age-appropriate manner. The children are affected due to these experiences and have important social and emotional developments to catch up on. What they need - like all children - is someone who is reliably there for them. They bring joy but also worry, often effort but also fun, and are an active part of the family system.

In principle, it is important for the child not to lose contact with the family of origin. As a rule, the parents have a right of access. It is also the task of the district to help shape successful contact. This always happens individually and ranges from regular to occasional contacts. Accompanying these is a responsible, but not always easy task for foster parents.

There are two types of care - temporary care and care for an indefinite period.

Temporary care

Stand-by foster families take over the care of children in crises in their family of origin and bridge the period of clarification of prospects. The period of placement is limited and can last from a few days to several weeks or even months. Within the framework of short-term care, children whose parents are absent, for example due to a hospital stay or a cure, find a temporary home. Here, the time frame is clearly limited.

Care for an indefinite period

In foster families, which are set up for an indefinite period of time, children live who have no recognisable prospect of returning to their family of origin. The foster parents provide comprehensive care and education for the child and integrate it into their family. The stay of the children is usually planned for many years, often until they are adults. If the biological parents develop in a positive direction and show themselves to be responsible, the return option must be examined at least
.

Interested in taking in a foster child?

Then one should ask oneself:

• Is my family stable enough to take in a child temporarily or integrate him/her indefinitely?
• What about our empathy, tolerance, consistency, perseverance, flexibility and my mental and physical resilience?
• Are all family members ready to take in a child?
• Is my couple relationship intact?
• Is the spatial and financial situation sufficient?
• Am I willing to cooperate with the district's youth service or other institutions as well as the child's parents?