Foster care support remains overlooked, association chair says

Child protection workers do not always know which support services are available to foster parents and children, and the foster care sector has been left behind during the implementation of well-being legislation, the chairman of the Association of Foster Children told mbl.is.

Guðlaugur Kristmundsson said the association had hoped the legislation would bring changes to benefit foster families. But the systemic reforms it has called for have yet to be made, he said.

The association regularly hears from foster parents who are struggling but have not received appropriate support, Guðlaugur said. In some cases, simple and affordable options are available, including guidance for foster parents and services or interventions aimed at the child.

Child protection workers are sometimes unfamiliar with the foster care sector, he said, which can mean that the most suitable measures are not used.

Guðlaugur also called on municipalities to review how child protection services are organised, which measures they use and whether support can be improved. He said this would not require elected officials to become involved in individual cases, but they should understand staff conditions and the services available.

The association has tried to draw municipal officials’ attention to shortcomings, he said, but wants them to take a more active role in developing solutions than simply attending consultation meetings.