HOW TO BECOME A FOSTER PARENT?

What conditions do candidates for becoming a Foster Parent have to fulfil?

The conditions are described in detail by the Act on Social Policy of 12 March 2004 (Official Journal no. 64, item 593 as amended) in Article 73, section 1, point 1 - 8:

"The role of a foster family can be entrusted to married couples or a person who is not married if the said people meet the following conditions: They must::

1.    provide a guarantee to perform the duties of a foster family with due care;

2.    have a permanent residency within the boundaries of the Republic of Poland;

3.    make use of full civil and citizenship rights;

4.    not be or not ever have been deprived of parental responsibility, or be in any way limited in their parental responsibility or have had their parental responsibility been suspended;

5.    comply with the obligation to provide a close person or another person when such an obligation is incumbent on them pursuant to applicable legal regulations or a court's decision;

6.    not be suffering from a disease that makes it impossible for them to properly care for a child, which has been confirmed by a medical certificate;

7.    be able to provide adequate housing conditions and a permanent source of income;

8.    have been given a positive evaluation from a local welfare centre."

Which documents are required when qualifying a Foster Family?

1.    application form, resume or questionnaire for foster parent candidates,

2.    confirmation of Polish citizenship and permanent residency in Poland (copy of identity card),

3.    certificate of lack of criminal record,

4.    certificate of not being deprived of parental responsibility,

5.    medical certificate (from a general practitioner – on general health condition),

6.    certificate from employer regarding employment and income or regarding generating income from agricultural activity,

7.    local welfare centre's evaluation issued after completing a proper community interview.

Where to obtain the appropriate qualifications?

Adoption and welfare centres and family support centres are responsible for the qualification process. In Łódź, training is organised by:

1.    Ośrodek Adopcyjno – Opiekuńczy Zarządu Łódzkiego Oddziału Regionalnego Towarzystwa Przyjaciół Dzieci [Adoption and Welfare Centre of the Regional Division in Łódź of the Society of the Friends of Children]

2.    Archidiecezjalny Ośrodek Adopcyjno – Opiekuńczy [Archdiocesan Adoption and Welfare Centre]

3.    Ośrodek Wsparcia Rodziny Łódzkiego Towarzystwa Wspierania Dziecka i Rodziny "Lokomotywa" [Family Support Centre of the "Lokomotywa" Łódź Society for Supporting Children and Family]

4.    Ośrodek Rodzin Zastępczych TRAD “SZANSA” [TRAD "SZANSA" Foster FamiliesCentre]

What does the training include?

Training curriculum includes:

1.    elements of family law on children's rights, elements of pedagogy, developmental and educational psychology, including problems concerning the development of a child brought up outside its natural family and influence of the situation

2.    knowledge and skills of identifying and assessing a child's family situation

3.    improving caring skills, the ability to deal with situations that may cause educational difficulties and coping with difficulties connected with compensating for the delay in a child's development

4.    fundamental knowledge of addictions and their effects on a child and family

5.    the principles of financing foster families and possibilities of obtaining assistance in bringing up children

What’s next?

With the help of the Adoption and Welfare Centre's employees who have access to a database of children waiting for a placement in foster families, families are directed to a proper facility. Having been acquainted with a child and after mutual acceptance, the candidates must submit a request to a court in order to be nominated as the foster family for a given child. The request for a foster family nomination is forwarded to a court with the appropriate jurisdiction for the child's place of residence (District Court, Family and Minor Division). Applicants are candidates for foster parents, whereas the child's parents are participants of the proceedings. Having examined a given case during an open meeting, the Court decides upon nominating the applicants as the foster family for the child.