Foster Care

Foster care is a form of support in which a child temporarily lives with another family (a foster family)—seven days a week, or occasionally on weekends or during vacations—for a short or longer period of time.

When is foster care used?

Foster care is not used lightly. Most families first receive assistance while the child is still living at home. If that is not sufficient and the child’s development and/or safety is at risk, a decision may be made to have the child live elsewhere (temporarily).

Foster care can be used for many different reasons. For example, because the parents are (temporarily) unable to care for their child. In such cases, it is better for the child—and often for the parents as well—if the child lives with another family temporarily or stays with another family from time to time. 

Becoming a Foster Parent

Are you thinking about becoming a foster parent? If so, we refer you to the foster care organizations. In our region, these are:Vigere Pleegzorg,Sterk Huis,William Schrikker, andTimon.

There are also advocacy groups such as theNVP (Dutch Association for Foster Families)andPleegzorg Nederland.