On the morning of February 6, we woke up to an earthquake that affected 11 provinces and shook Turkey. We are saddened by the loss of many of our people and wish the wounds to be healed as soon as possible. In addition to those who lost their lives in the earthquake and many of our people were injured, we also faced the fact that children lost their parents or that no relatives were alive.
Our sensitive citizens want to be protective in order to protect these children and heal their wounds. So what is being a foster family? Who can be a foster family? How long is the waiting time? What are their difficulties? And everything you wonder about being a foster family is in this article.
What is Being a Foster Family?
Foster family is the provision of family care services to children aged 0-18 who cannot continue their life with their biological family for various reasons and live in government institutions. Although the basic needs of the child are met in state institutions, growing up with love in a warm home as an individual is very important for the psycho-social development of children.
Scientific studies also emphasize that being in a family environment rather than an institution is better physically and emotionally. The main purpose of foster family service is to ensure that the child’s care and needs are met in a healthy family environment, taking into account the best interests of the child.
Who Can Be a Foster Family?
In order to apply for a foster family, you must meet a number of conditions. Individuals or couples who are citizens of the Republic of Turkey, between the ages of 25-65, have a regular income and have at least a primary school diploma can apply to become a foster family.
Although there is no requirement for marriage to be a foster family, having a biological child does not prevent you from applying. Unlike adoption, you do not have to be 18 years old with the child. In adoption, while the child is registered in the registry of the adopter; In foster family, the child continues the lineage with his own family.
How Long Is the Waiting Time to Become a Foster Family?
The preparation process after the application to become a foster family takes an average of 6-8 months. The reason why the child is taken under protection also affects the length of stay with the foster family. The child can stay with the foster family for many years or return to his biological family after a while. In both cases, the decision is made by considering the best interests of the child. However, the rate of return of the child to the biological family is very low.
What are the Challenges of Being a Foster Family?
Being a foster family is not a decision to be made with intense emotions. In rare cases, there are people who become a foster family and want to leave the child later. This has devastating consequences for children. People who want to be a foster family should decide after doing their research. Although all responsibilities are met with the state in the process of being a foster family, there are of course some difficulties. However, the state also provides psychological support regarding difficulties. So what are the difficulties of being a foster family, let’s take a look together.
- When you become a foster family, the lineage between the child and his biological family is not cut. Therefore, you may be worried about the possibility of the child returning to his biological family.
- You cannot change the child’s name. You cannot give your own surname.
- Protective families must notify their address or residence changes to the Provincial Directorate at least 1 month in advance.
- You may feel pressure from the environment. If you have a child, you may worry about not being able to love as much as he does.
Where to Apply to Be a Foster Family?
Persons who want to be a foster family should apply to the foster family units within the Provincial Directorates of the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services in their province. At the end of the process, if deemed appropriate, the child under state protection is placed with the foster family.