The process of becoming independent of foster care pupils in Poland – challenges and prospects

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to find out the opinions of managers of social welfare institutions on the process of empowerment of foster care alumni. Material and methods The research method was a diagnostic survey, and the research tool was a survey questionnaire on the process of empowerment of foster care alumni for managers of social welfare institutions (by Anna Kanios). The research was conducted in person in June-October 2023. The research area was the Lubelskie Voivodeship, while in institutional terms it was the District Family Assistance Centers. Results The results of the study indicate that in recent years the number of foster families in Poland has been decreasing. Alumni most often make decisions to become independent due to the desire to leave the care facility / foster family, the desire to take a job and live on their own. PCPRs, as entities organizing foster care, see the biggest problem in the process of becoming independent as the difficulty of securing housing. There is no single program for emancipation in Poland. Each county develops it for itself. Guardians of emancipation are not able to perform their function fully due to the bureaucratic nature of the tasks. Conclusions It seems necessary to reform the foster care system. To relieve the burden on guardians of emancipation and foster care coordinators by reducing tasks related to documentation in favor of real work with the family and the foster child. It also seems important to conduct monitoring of the fate of those who become independent. Additional support is worth extending to staff and foster parents by conducting additional training, workshops, informational meetings.

Keywords

• poland
• challenges
• germany
• process of independence
• foster care ward