Welcome the child or children in your family

You must personally collect the child from their location. Together with the child, foster parents receive their personal belongings and documents:

• Decision of the Guardianship and Custody Authority on referring the child to the foster family;
• The child’s birth certificate;
• Opinion on the child’s health, and physical and mental development;
• Document on education;
• Opinion on the complex psychological and pedagogical assessment of the child’s development issued by the Inclusion Resource Centre (if any);
• Decision of the Guardianship and Custody Authority at the child’s place of origin on assignment of the child’s status, or the documents on which the decision is based;
• Certificate of any siblings or other close relatives of the child, and their location;
• Pension certificate for the children, and a copy of the court ruling on collecting alimony;
• Description of any property belonging to the child, including housing, and data on the persons responsible for its integrity.

Outcome of Step:

The child becomes part of your life. This step sees the completion of the legal formalities that relate to the creation of the foster family.

The process of consolidation and mutual acceptance begins, with a solid foundation for a warm, loving family where the hosted children can grow in harmony and heal from their experience.

Complete the child’s adaptation to the new family

The adaptation process can have unique challenges as the child adapts to life in a new family separated from blood relations. Attachment and the feeling of safety and belonging can take a long time to develop, and require additional effort from the foster parents. It is a long, complex process that requires patience and unconditional acceptance of the child.

The materials of the training course are helpful for dealing with adaptation. Maintain regular contact with, and listen to advice of, the social worker or other social work professional designated to your foster family. They are your principal contact to assist in the process of adaptation and establishing ties with the child.

Outcome of Step:

Family routine and habits become more specific and stable. Family conflicts and misunderstandings are resolved in a constructive manner, which helps develop steady and healthy relationships.

Opportunities for post-adoption support be found and used during the adaptation process