Frequently asked questions about short-term foster families
Short-term foster families take care of children placed outside their home for a short period of time when the parents are unable to take care of the children due to, for example, acute mental health issues, an accident or substance abuse. In short-term foster families, children or young people are provided with a safe environment and the attention and care they need.
We aim to place siblings in the same short-term foster family.
A short-term foster family can be a family with one or two parents who are in a stable life situation. The family’s relationships and finances must be in order. One of the parents must be at home full-time with the child.
The short-term foster family has room and time for the placed child, as well as the ability to understand the child in crisis and the child’s needs. Children over the age of two need a room of their own.
The biological children of the short-term foster family must be at least three years old.
The placed child typically lives with the short-term foster family for a few months.
We agree with the family on how many children of which ages they can take care of at the same time.
If short-term foster families have a place available, they are on call 24 hours a day for one week at a time as agreed.
Short-term foster family activities are binding and round-the-clock.
The most important task of the family carer responsible for the child’s affairs in the short-term foster family is to provide care and comfort according to the child’s needs in an ordinary home environment.
The family carer records observations of the child’s daily life and support needs. The family carer works in close cooperation with the child’s parents and other loved ones and with the employees working with the child. The family carer participates in arranging meetings between the child and the parents by, for example, transporting the child to the meetings.
The family carer often participates in child welfare negotiation meetings concerning the child’s situation.
No, we will provide the families with training for the task. However, training or work experience in the social sector is useful in the role of family carer.
Yes. We pay the families a monthly basic on-call service fee according to the number of children placed. During the placement, we also pay a child-specific compensation for expenses and a care payment.
Families receiving the basic on-call service fee participate in round-the-clock on-call service in one-week periods, for which a separate fee is paid.
This is not an employment relationship but is based on a commission agreement. The care payment accumulates pension.
The short-term foster family is entitled to 3.25 days of leave per month.
The short-term foster family has a designated employee in Short-term Foster Family Activities who keeps in contact with the family carer at least on a weekly basis. The designated employee provides support in, for example, recording observations relating to the child and the child’s situation, everyday matters, meeting the child’s parents and ensuring the family carer’s ability to cope.
You can contact the helpline of Short-term Foster Family Activities every day from 8.00-21.00 for support and guidance in acute situations.
Call +358 9310 52581(Link starts a phone call)
We offer training and regular occupational guidance groups for family carers.
Arranging meetings between the child and the child’s loved ones is the responsibility of the Short-term Foster Family Activities employee. We will provide a suitable place for the meeting, if necessary.
We organise a joint Christmas party, excursions and other activities for the short-term foster families and children.
The short-term foster families and the Short-term Foster Family Activities workgroup meet twice a year to discuss topical issues.
No. You can come to the training even if you are unsure about your decision.
We organise training sessions several times a year. The training is free of charge for you.