Are all foster families the same?

No, there are different types of foster families. They are divided into:

  • Kinship foster families – families related to the child (grandparents, adult siblings)
  • Non-professional foster families – families related to the child by a more distant relationship (e.g. aunt and uncle, cousins) or not related at all
  • Professional foster families – unrelated to the child, which are divided into:
    • specialized foster families – where socially maladjusted children or children with various dysfunctions and health problems, requiring special care and attention, are placed. No more than 3 children may be raised in such a family at the same time,
    • foster families serving as emergency foster care – no more than 3 children are placed there for a temporary stay until the child’s life situation is stabilized, for a period of 4 months and no longer than 8 months.
  • Family children’s homes – where no more than 8 children may be placed at the same time.

Who can become a foster family?

Both married couples and single people may serve as foster families. Under Polish law, candidates for foster parents should meet the following conditions:

  • they provide a guarantee of properly exercising foster care,
  • they have not been and are not deprived of parental authority, and their parental authority is neither restricted nor suspended,
  • they fulfill their maintenance obligation where such an obligation towards them arises from an enforceable title,
  • they are not limited in their capacity to perform legal acts,
  • their health allows them to provide proper care for a child, as confirmed by a medical certificate,
  • they obtain a psychologist’s opinion confirming that they have the predispositions and motivation to serve as a foster family,
  • they permanently reside in the territory of the Republic of Poland,
  • they have suitable living and housing conditions enabling the child’s individual needs to be met,
  • they have not been convicted by a final judgment for an intentional offense,
  • in the case of candidates for a non-professional foster family, at least one person forming the family must have a permanent source of income.

Can foster families receive any assistance?

Of course.

A foster family and the person running a family children’s home are entitled, for each child placed in their care, to a benefit covering the child’s maintenance costs and a child-raising allowance:

  1. PLN 694.00 per month – for a child placed in a kinship foster family,
  2. PLN 1,052.00 per month – for a child placed in a non-professional foster family, a professional foster family or a family children’s home.
  3. PLN 500.00 per month – a child-raising allowance for each child under 18 placed in family foster care.

A professional foster family and the person running a family children’s home are entitled to remuneration of no less than PLN 2,000.00 gross per month. A professional foster family serving as emergency foster care is entitled to remuneration of no less than PLN 2,600.00 gross per month.

In addition to financial assistance, foster families may receive psychological and educational assistance, as well as support from a family foster care coordinator.

Remember that...

  • a foster family is not adoption,
  • foster care is provided temporarily,
  • a child from a foster family may return to their family, be adopted or become independent,
  • a child in foster care has special needs and requires attention and affection, patience and understanding,
  • a child staying in a foster family also needs to maintain bonds with their family.

The most beneficial environment for a child’s development is a well-functioning biological family. Harmonious human development depends to a large extent on the fulfillment of needs and the family environment in which a person grows up. However, when the biological family, despite all forms of assistance provided to it, does not ensure proper care and upbringing for the child, the child should be provided with alternative care based on a family upbringing model, namely family foster care.

If you would like to become a foster parent...

  • call the Powiat Family Support Centre in Bolesławiec,
  • speak with an employee of the Family Foster Care Team,
  • check whether you meet all the formal requirements,
  • discuss these plans with your immediate family,
  • take your children’s opinions into account.