Standards on foster care

In all Member States, provisions regarding foster care, including standards, are established by law. Provisions on the number of children in one foster family aim to ensure the quality of care for children and facilitate the monitoring of foster parents.

Foster parents have to undergo training provided by the responsible authority and/or the service foster care agency, although in most states training requirements do not apply when the foster parents are relatives. The length and content of the training varies significantly both within and between states.

Provisions determining the maximum number of children in a foster family

 
 

Source: FRA, 2014

  Yes, a maximum number of children is provided by law
  No, there are no provisions specifying the maximum number of children
  No information

Key findings

  • Not all EU Member States have provisions on the precise number of children that can be accommodated in one foster family.
  • In some Member States, where the maximum number of children per foster family is not established by law, legislation prescribes that the number is dependent on other criteria, and decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.
  • Only half of the Member States have provisions on the maximum number of children per foster family.
  • Where specific provisions exist, the maximum number of children varies significantly (from two to eight children per family).
  • In decentralised systems without provisions on the maximum number of children, there are often disparities within the country.

Only half of the EU Member States have legal provisions regulating the maximum number of children to be placed in one foster family.

When provisions exist, they are often related to the physical and mental health of the child, the number of biological children in the family and the number of siblings.

In Croatia, for example one foster family can accommodate three children, although exceptions are made in cases of siblings for instance. Only one child per foster family can have a severe disability.

A one person household can only accommodate two children, or one child with a disability. In Finland, the maximum number of children in one foster family is four, including children who already live in the household. Exceptions are foreseen in cases of siblings.

Even when provisions exist, responsible authorities may make exceptions. In France for example, the president of the Departmental Council (Conseil général) may allow foster parents to accommodate more children than are allowed by law (up to three children), if there are specific needs and if the hosting conditions are appropriate.

In some Member States such as Germany and Romania, where no such provisions exist, the number of children should be decided on a case-by-case basis, taking into account existing criteria and other requirements. Very often, general provisions exist linking the maximum number of children to aspects such as: the availability of space, the physical and mental ability of the child and his/her needs, the number of adult carers in a foster family and the number of biological children living in the house.

In practice, in many Member States without specific provisions it is up to the responsible authority or social professionals assessing the capacity of a foster family and/or being responsible for the individual child to decide.