Who is a foster parent and what do they do? The foster parent cares for one or more children in difficulty for a predetermined period of time, as if they were the foster parents’ own children, and alongside their own children in many cases. This placement in a family prepares either for the return of the children to their natural family, or for adoption by another family.
What are the activities of the foster parent? Taking care of the child; offering appropriate conditions for physical and mental development; facilitating the social integration of the child in the local community and the school; assuring the child’s education and with reference to the biological family and cultural traditions; cooperating with other specialists in a multi-disciplinary team which may include social workers and other child care workers.
Where is it done and under what conditions? In the foster parents’ own home.
What tools/equipment do they use? All the tools and equipment any parent uses to bring up a child of their own.
What do you need to succeed? You need secondary education; you should also be able to offer proof of a suitable family climate; requirements will vary from country to country but you need good communication skills, empathy, good relations with the neighbours, and sense of responsibility. In some countries a police check of your background may be carried out and the social services will also wish to interview you and your husband/wife in depth before taking you on as a foster parent.