Welcome the Child into your Family

You must personally pick up the child from the establishment or the family where they are staying, in the presence of a representative of the Children’s Service, after showing a copy of the guardianship or custody ordinance.

You must also receive child’s documents such as birth certificate, health records, and any other available documents related to their history.

Navigate the Family and Child Adaptation Period

After the legal process for granting guardianship or custody is complete, the child’s adaptation to their new home begins.
This period is particularly relevant for guardians or custodians who are not the child's relatives, as the child needs time to adapt to living with a new family. Attachment, safety, and a sense of belonging may take time to develop, requiring patience and unconditional acceptance from guardians or custodians.

The materials from the training course can help during the adaptation process. The main adaptation stages are as follows:

1. The Child’s First Day at Home: This day should be quiet, without loud celebrations. The child should spend it with the guardians, without extra guests or relatives. A simple tour around the home should be given, showing the main rooms and places for the child's belongings. Meals should be familiar, and the child should choose what to eat. The goal is to create an environment of safety and comfort without overwhelming the child with attention.
2. Honeymoon: This initial stage is marked by mutual delight and idealization between the child and the new family, characterized by joy, optimism, and hope.
3. No Longer a Guest: At this transitional stage, a more realistic mutual understanding begins to develop between the child and the new family. The child may test boundaries, display disobedience, or assert their desires.
4. Getting Along: At this stage, the child begins to express genuine emotions, including fear or lack of confidence, while forming deeper emotional connections with the family.
5. Stabilisation of Relations: Deeper trust and a sense of security characterize this stage. Family conflicts are resolved more constructively, and healthy relationships develop.

If the child is adapting to a family of relatives, the process may have different characteristics since the child may already have some knowledge of the family, which supports easier