Who can be a foster parent?

Can grandparents, uncles, aunts and friends be foster parents?

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When the child welfare authorities make a decision to take a child into care, you must be consulted about the choice of foster home. Use a lawyer who can ensure that you are heard about your wishes regarding where the child should be placed. The child welfare authorities often do not follow your wishes and place children with completely unknown people, even if there are suitable alternatives in close family.

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Can close family be considered as a foster home?

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Yes, according to section 4, first second paragraph of the Foster Home Regulations, the child welfare service must "always" assess whether someone in the child's family or close network can be chosen as a foster home. Furthermore, your opinion must be included in the child welfare service's assessment. If your opinion has not been heard, you can complain to The Parliamentary Ombud.

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Can someone other than close family be considered as a foster parent?

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Yes, other families can also be considered as foster homes.

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Does it have to be one or two foster parents?

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According to section 5 of the Foster Home Regulations, the foster home should consist of two foster parents. Single parents may be chosen if the child welfare service finds that this would be in the best interests of the child in question.

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If the child welfare service refuses to place the child where you want, what then?

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If the child welfare service do not wish to place the child in the foster home you have proposed, it is important that a claim for a specific foster home placement is brought before the county social welfare board. The board can assess whether the people you have proposed are suitable as foster parents.

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The claim for a specific foster home must be submitted and decided in the same case as the case concerning the takeover of care. If the board does not deal with this case, the district court will not do so either. Make sure you have a lawyer who knows this process, as there is often a slip-up here.

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What is required of foster parents?

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The Foster Home Regulations set out general requirements for foster parents. It states that a foster parent must have the ability, time and energy to give children a safe and good home. A stable life situation, generally good health and good cooperation skills. They must also have finances, housing and a social network that gives children the opportunity to develop their lives.

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These requirements may be waived somewhat if it is undoubtedly in the child's best interests to be placed with a particular family or network. Challenge the child welfare service on this before you settle for the child welfare service's choice!

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What is particularly important when placing a foster home with a close family?

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The child welfare service will need to ensure that the family will be able to cope with the dual role and the possible conflict of loyalties inherent in being both a family or close network and a foster home.

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