Taking Care of Foster Care. New Ways and Challenges for Foster Care
The foster care conference ‘Taking Care of Foster Care’ will: 1- outline the situation of foster care in Flanders; 2- present the similarities to and differences from other regions in West European countries; 3- address the discussion about future policy in Flanders with all those involved (government, clients, foster and host families, services for foster care and other forms of care).
Foster care is the fastest growing sector in Flemish welfare. We see a 5% growth every year. There are currently 4500 foster families and 6400 children, young people and adults in foster care.
Both the Flemish and Belgian federal governments are focusing increased attention on foster care. The Flemish governmental agreement of July 2009 states that foster care must be the first potential solution for children younger than six if they cannot live with their own parents. The government is planning an intersectoral foster care decree in 2012.
At the conference, international speakers and over 40 working groups will discuss a series of current topics in Flemish foster care. For example:
- How does the scaling up process work in Flemish foster care and does it bring improvements in quality?
- Can foster care work for children and young people with serious behavioural problems? What happens in Sweden? What happens in Flanders?
- Are Flemish referrers performing a balancing act between foster parents and parents?
- Is foster care appropriate for new target groups such as elderly people?
- What do foster children think about foster care?
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of network foster care?
- Can foster care work short-term and in crisis situations? Or is foster care only beneficial as long-term placements?
- Do foster parents need a charter?
- How does foster care work in other European countries? How does the government regard foster care?
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The full programme is available at www.fostercareflanders.be. Registrations close on September 1st 2010.
Conference languages are Dutch, French and English.