About foster children
Who they are and what they need
A foster child is a child who, due to various circumstances, cannot live with their biological parents and is placed with foster parents instead. The foster parents take over the upbringing and care of the child and offer them a stable and loving environment.
Which children are placed in a foster family?
Foster children are children and young people who are temporarily or permanently unable to live with their biological parents. There can be many reasons for this, such as neglect, violence, mental illness or an addiction problem in the family of origin. They come from all age groups - from infants to teenagers - and have very different experiences, needs and personalities. Some children only stay in a foster family for a short time (e.g. in an on-call foster placement), while others stay for years.
Custody and guardianship
When a child lives in a foster family, the biological parents usually retain full or partial custody. The foster parents take over the day-to-day care and make decisions in the context of so-called day-to-day care. In some cases, custody is transferred in whole or in part to a guardian or carer - e.g. the youth welfare office or an individual. Foster parents then have close contact with the guardian and make important decisions together.
Right to contact with the family of origin
Children generally have the right to maintain contact with their family of origin if it is in their best interests.
This means that contact with parents, siblings or other important attachment figures should be maintained as far as possible - even if the relationship is strained. Contact is organised on an individual basis in cooperation with the youth welfare office, the biological parents and the foster parents.
Repatriation
Back to the family of origin?
A central aim of child and youth welfare services is to re-establish cohabitation with the family of origin, if possible. A return takes place when the parents' living conditions have improved sustainably and the child can be cared for safely and well. Foster parents must be able to let go in such cases - even if an emotional bond has grown. Returns are usually prepared and accompanied carefully and over a longer period of time.
Children carry a package with them
Biographical work as the key
Many foster children have already had difficult, sometimes traumatic experiences at a young age. These experiences have a lasting effect - on behaviour, trust or even attachment behaviour. Biography work helps the child to understand their own history and to better categorise themselves. Foster parents play an important role in this: they accompany the child with openness, honesty and empathy - without glossing over or judging.
What needs do foster children have?
Foster children need more than a bed and regular meals.
They need
- emotional security and reliability
- Patience and understanding, especially in the case of conspicuous behaviour
- Time to build trust
- Encouragement and support - e.g. for learning or developmental deficits
- Often also therapeutic guidance or curative educational support
Not every foster child is "severely burdened", but every foster child has special needs. Foster parents must be prepared to meet these needs - with the support of professionals.
