Als Pflegeeltern bewerben, Eignungsprüfung

If the child's upbringing in their own family cannot be guaranteed to be in the child's best interests, either temporarily or permanently, the youth welfare office can place a child in a foster family temporarily or permanently.

Foster families/foster carers take in a child, look after it and bring it up if it cannot grow up with its biological parents. This foster relationship can be for a limited period of time or on a permanent basis.

The prerequisite is that the foster parents/carers are suitable for the task and are willing to work together with the youth welfare office and the child's biological parents.

Foster carers are carefully prepared for their task by the youth welfare office and their suitability is checked. They have a legal right to advice. During the fostering relationship, the Youth Welfare Office checks whether the foster parents/carers are providing an upbringing that is conducive to the welfare of the foster child. If the welfare of the foster child is at risk, the Youth Welfare Office terminates the foster care contract and takes the child into care.

During the course of the foster care relationship, the youth welfare office, foster carer and custodial parents jointly discuss what is best for the child's development (help plan).

• Certificate of good conduct
• Medical certificate or health certificate
• Information about your income situation

• Married couples, couples or single people with or without children can apply to take in a foster child.
• In order to be able to take in a foster child, the emotional stability of the child must be ensured.
• Another requirement for foster parents is financial security. The apartment or house should also be large enough.
• To apply, you will need a police clearance certificate and a health certificate.
• Foster parents or carers should also have a high level of resilience due to the often problematic home situation.
• Foster parents or foster carers must be willing to cooperate with the youth welfare office and the family of origin for the benefit of the child.

There are no fees.

If you are interested in taking in a foster child, the responsible youth welfare office is the right point of contact. There are information events and the possibility of a personal consultation with a foster care specialist.

Once the decision has been made to take in a foster child, the application is made. This application procedure is a process. It can take several months. During this time, specialists are available for discussions and clarify with the applicants which child could fit into their family and which tasks they feel up to. Many foster care services offer preparatory seminars. This allows the placement agencies to get an idea of the potential foster parents/carers.

Home visits by the foster care service to the potential foster parents/carers also take place so that the specialist can get an idea of the environment in which a foster child could be placed. The placement agencies also expect openness in areas such as family life, world view and educational goals.

If you are recognized as a foster parent/carer, you will receive information about the foster child, their history and the biological parents before taking in a foster child and make the decision about taking in the child together with the parents and the foster children's service.

As a rule, you and your youth welfare office will conclude a written foster care contract that contains the rights and obligations of the contractual partners.

There are no deadlines to be observed.

If you are interested in taking in a foreign child into your family, please contact the youth welfare office of the district or city responsible for your place of residence.

Responsibility lies with the youth welfare office (foster care service)