Children deprived of parental care long for a home and family. They, too, want to hug and be hugged, to love and be loved... just like any other child. Being a foster parent is not difficult, nor is it difficult to help Foster Care reach as many children as possible.
WHAT IS FOSTER CARE? 
Foster care means taking care of a child in your own home because the child's parents are not in a position to do so.
WHO ARE THE CHILDREN WHO NEED YOUR CARE?
There are many reasons why parents may not be in a position to look after their children. These vary between extreme poverty, lack of a home, extended illness or disability, family breakdown following the death of one parent, divorce, or separation.
Until now, children deprived of parental care were placed in homes for parentless children. However, experienced gained from this has shown that this is, by far, not the best approach to their upbringing. The care they receive in such homes cannot provide the family environment they so much need in order to prepare for their adult lives.
WHO CAN BE A FOSTER PARENT?
We need a lot and diverse families for a lot and various children.
In order to be a foster parent you need:
- to be sure about your decision;
- your family to welcome the idea of you becoming a foster parent;
- to demonstrate that you are willing to take care of children and to attend a foster care training;
- to have adequate space in your home and sufficient time to take care of and communicate with the child;
- to be understanding of the needs of the child placed in your care and be willing to work in cooperation with the social workers;
- to have no criminal record, be in good health, and have no history of or current alcohol and drug abuse problems.
HOW TO BECOME A FOSTER PARENT?
Becoming a foster parent involves a responsible decision. This is why recruitment of foster parents starts with providing you with information about what foster care is and about the children in need for it, so as to help you decide whether this is an appropriate choice for you and your family.
Step 1: Information
Information on how to become a foster parent will be provided to you at regional foster care centres, or Child Protection Department with your local municipality, or at 0700 12 170.
Step 2: Assessment
Specialists will be appointed to interview you, your references, and your family.
Step 3: Training
You will complete a training course.
Step 4: Approval
You will be entered into the foster parent database by decision of the Social Assistance Directorate. Should you be approved as a professional foster parent, you will sign an employment contract.
Step 5: Getting to know each other
You will be appointed several preliminary meetings with the child in order to connect and get to know each other.
Step 6: Placement and support
The child will be placed in your home and you will become his or her foster parent for a specific time period. You will take care of the child with the assistance of the social workers. The foster care team will provide full support through information and advice.
SUPPORT YOU WILL BE PROVIDED AS A FOSTER PARENT
- training by foster care specialists;
- continuous support and counselling by a social worker;
- foster parents may attend support groups to share experience and receive peer support;
- assistance and support, where the foster child is in contact with their biological family;
- monthly financial assistance for child support, depending on the child's age. Where the child has special health needs or a disability, additional financial assistance will be provided.
- remuneration for the professional foster parents.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
National Hotline for Foster Crae: 0700 12 170
Regional centers for foster care
www.priemime.bg
DOCUMENTS:
Наредба за условията и реда на кандидатстване, подбор и утвърждаване на приемни семейства и настаняване на деца в тях
Методика за условията и начина за предоставяне на социалната услуга "приемна грижа"
