In Aachen, foster families are advised and supported by both the city administration's foster children's service and the foster children's service of the Sozialdienst Katholischer Frauen (SKF). Both are in regular contact so that the standards are common.
events
Become a foster parent
It's great that you are interested in the information about the Aachen Foster Children's Service on our homepage: This is the first step! If you can imagine or are already thinking about taking in a foster child, you can expect intensive discussions and lots of information in advance. The process of becoming a foster parent usually begins with a visit to one of our information events in the Mozartstraße administration building. At this event, which lasts around two hours, we explain the requirements and answer any questions you may have.
The next steps, including the required documents, will then be presented to you in a personal meeting. Your personal situation will be reviewed in several one-to-one meetings in your home environment once the documents are available that demonstrate your personal situation.
Benefits and services for foster children and families
There are many good reasons for wanting to take in a foster child. Anyone thinking about it must be aware that they are taking on a long-term responsibility and that they are bringing up another parent's child. However, there are so many advantages that can be enjoyed and incorporated into family life.
Children enrich life - foster children enrich it in particular!
Raising a child is a beautiful and meaningful task. Even if it is not your biological child. Being a parent provides many happy moments. It brings a lot of joy and is good for the ego to see how a child develops, how a small child becomes a big person, a personality.
People develop throughout their lives - even as adults. Taking in a foster child is a challenge that will help you grow. There are also other reasons to decide to foster a child, for example if you really want a child but don't have or can't have one of your own: An adoption process can be very lengthy and nerve-wracking and is significantly less likely to result in a successful placement than a foster child process.
When a family takes in a foster child, they not only receive lots of tips and support from the Youth Welfare Office, but also regular financial assistance such as care allowance, grants and child benefit. You can rest assured that you are doing something really good by helping a child get the loving home they deserve!
Training and preparation
If the formal check described above is positive, this is followed by training. This training prepares you for your role as a foster parent and takes place in a group. It comprises 20 hours (one evening and three Saturdays) and is organized by the foster children's service of the SkF (Sozialdienst katholischer Frauen) and the foster children's service of the youth welfare office.
The training contents are:
- Legal framework
- Practice of foster child placement
- Motivation for taking in a foster child
- Parent-child relationship
- Integration of foster children in foster families
- Family of origin and organization of visiting contacts
- Medical risks in children
- Exchange experiences with experienced foster parents
- Determination of individual placement agreements
Following the applicant training, the applicants receive an evaluation form with detailed questions. For their part, the specialists from the foster children's service create an evaluation form for each applicant.
Once the individual evaluation forms are available, a further interview takes place in which so-called placement agreements are made with the foster parent applicants. Depending on their individual circumstances, foster parents can provide information such as the age of the child they wish to take in, their previous history and family of origin as well as their state of health. This is intended to prevent foster parents from taking in a child who is too much for them or whose history they are unable to deal with.
Prerequisites
Taking a strange child into the family requires a lot from everyone involved. Strength, patience, affection, reliability, empathy and perseverance on the part of the foster parents are essential for the child's development. The decision to take in a foster child does not only affect the adults - biological children, relatives and even friends can have an influence on this new family structure.
Please remember: We are looking for families for children, not children for families! The decision to foster a child should be carefully considered and supported by all family members. So first make sure you know whether you can afford to take on another person's child and why you want it at all.
Life form
In addition to the classic father-mother-child family, all family forms, including individuals, single parents and cohabiting couples of different or the same sex, are eligible as childcare systems. Applicants must accept the basic democratic order of the Federal Republic of Germany. Religious, political or ideological extremism is an exclusion criterion.
Age limits
In principle, there are no rigid age limits. Age is an indicator that points to other characteristics, such as life experience, resilience or flexibility. The age difference between the caregiver and the child should not be too great and, if possible, not greater than 40 years.
Income situation
Applicants must have a secure income and a stable financial situation. They must be able to support themselves - the care allowance must not be the main source of income. Proof of income must be provided.
Living conditions
The living conditions must offer sufficient space for the foster child to develop. There should be opportunities for retreat. But space in the heart is also very important!
Occupation
The professional activity must not conflict with the care and support of the foster child. Foster carers must be willing and able to adapt their professional activities to the needs of the child.
Religious affiliation
The child must have the opportunity to develop their religion. If the religious affiliation has not yet been determined, the wishes of the relinquishing parents must be accepted and respected.
Health
The applicant must be mentally and physically capable of caring for the child over a longer period of time. Applicants are expected to undergo an official medical examination, if necessary, which is based on the needs of the individual case.
Social environment
A positive basic attitude towards taking in a foster child in the social environment of the foster carers is very important.
Criminal record
A police clearance certificate is expected. Any previous convictions are not necessarily an exclusion criterion. However, previous convictions for sexual abuse, child abuse, assault or violent crimes are always exclusion criteria.
Children in foster care
The needs of children already living in the family must be taken into account.
Psychological suitability criteria
There are a number of characteristics that are important for foster carers and children to live together in a beneficial way. These include:
- Enjoy living together with children and young people
- Flexibility
- Resilience and frustration tolerance
- Symptom tolerance
- Problem-solving strategies
- Empathy for the child
- Tolerance
- Openness and emotional expressiveness
- Learning ability
- Bonding/relationship skills
- Willingness to engage with the child's life storyv
- partnership stability
- Life goals
Cooperation with the youth welfare office
Another important aspect is the willingness to cooperate with the youth welfare office.
Frequently asked questions
How quickly does a foster child arrive in Aachen?
After the assessment and training, foster parents can be approached. Sometimes it takes several months before a child is placed. However, as soon as this placement is made, the child may move to a foster family within a month.Will the foster child leave us again?
There is no guarantee, but the child's prospects are clarified beforehand. In absolutely exceptional cases, the foster child may have to leave the family again.
What support do we get?
- Training as preparation
- Advice and support
- Further training (voluntary)
- Supervision (voluntary and as required)
- Securing child maintenance (care allowance)
- Child benefit
- tax advantages
- Pension contributions
- Accident insurance for you
- One-off grants for special purchases
What contact is there with the biological family?
There are usually visits, initially always accompanied by the foster children's service and at a neutral location.What is the difference to adopted children?
The legal situation is different. As a foster parent, you are not liable to pay maintenance for the children and are obliged to cooperate with the youth welfare office.Can I manage this financially?
Child support is secured. However, you must ensure your own livelihood yourself.How are foster children insured?
There is group liability insurance from the Youth Welfare Office. Health insurance is arranged either through the biological parents or through you.Are my family and I being monitored?
As a foster parent, you are obliged to work together with the Youth Welfare Office - also partly in your household. If the child has a guardian, they must visit the child once a month in their home. This regulation has been enshrined in law since the beginning of 2012.Other questions we hear frequently:
- Can I have contact with the school?
- Can I go on vacation with the children?
- Can I visit the doctor with my child?
We are happy to answer these and other questions at our information events.