Greek gvt implementing new institution of professional foster care

“For the first time in Greece, the institution of professional foster care for children with disabilities is starting. By continuing the intensive effort to deinstitutionalize, we are for the first time creating the framework, securing the pay and supporting our fellow citizens to become professional foster carers and find a family for every child,” said the Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Domna Michailidou.

According to the Deputy Minister, the simplification and digitization of the fostering procedures, the establishment of the fostering allowance and the expansion of the age limits resulted in 1120 children leaving the institutions in less than four years and more than doubling the number of fosterings. Now, professional foster care is another step in the effort to deinstitutionalize.

What is Professional Foster Care?

Professional foster care is the institution that aims to place children with disabilities in a suitable family environment. As it has been established, in the two years of operation of the Fostering-Adoption system, there is a difficulty in placing children with disabilities in families. This concerns the increased needs of these children. With the institution of professional foster care, we are henceforth ensuring that every professional foster care provider has the appropriate institutional and financial framework, so that he can respond to the care of the child he undertakes.

The children concerned

It concerns children with a certified disability rate of at least 67% or a mental illness, including mental or developmental disability, with a disability rate of at least 50%.

Who can become professional foster care provider?

Eligible for adoption are families consisting of husbands or cohabiting couples, with or without children, or single individuals, single, divorced, or widowed, with or without children, who may be related by blood of any degree with the minor child (relative fosterage).

How does one become a professional foster care provider?

Anyone wishing to become a professional contractor can submit their application electronically through the online portal www.anynet.gr. After providing the necessary supporting documents, a thorough social investigation is conducted to determine the suitability of the candidate professional contractor. She then attends specialized training programs aimed at developing the skills required to take care of children with increased needs.

What is the professional providers remuneration?

The monthly fee of the professional foster care provider is set at €1,561.11 and is paid by the Organization of Welfare Benefits and Social Solidarity (OPEKA). The professional carer also receives any other financial support related to the child, such as child benefit, foster care benefit but also the disability benefit to which he is entitled.