Foster care and adoption are critical means of providing safe and loving homes for children who are unable to live with their biological parents. However, the process of finding a foster or adoptive family can be lengthy and complex, which is a significant issue in the Czech Republic. In an effort to address these concerns, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MLSA) has introduced an amendment to the Act on Social Protection of Children, which is intended to streamline the process and increase support for foster families.

One of the key changes introduced by the amendment is the standardization and simplification of the psychological assessment of prospective foster parents. Under the current system, the assessment process can be lengthy and administratively demanding, which can discourage potential applicants. The new system will enable applicants to undergo training and assessment anywhere in the country, and they will not have to repeat the process if they decide to have another child.

The amendment also provides for an increase in the state allowance for accompanying organizations for foster parents, which will provide additional financial support to families who take on the responsibility of caring for children who are unable to live with their biological parents. The increase in support is intended to encourage more people to become long-term foster parents and to support those who care for young children on a transitional basis.

In addition to these changes, the amendment takes a significant step towards the abolition of infant institutions for vulnerable children under the age of three. Instead, the focus will be on finding loving homes for these children through foster care and adoption. This move has been welcomed by experts, who argue that the institutionalization of young children is outdated and unnecessary.

The amendment also enshrines in law the requirement for counties to keep records of applicants and available children, which will provide greater transparency and help to ensure that children are placed with suitable families as quickly as possible. However, some foster associations are concerned that the current system of regional registers will not be effective in finding suitable families for children who cannot be placed in their local area.

While the amendment represents an important step forward in the provision of foster care and adoption in the Czech Republic, there are still significant challenges that need to be addressed. The most fundamental of these is the need for prevention and support for biological families, which will help to reduce the number of children who are removed from their families for socio-economic reasons. This is an area where further legislative changes may be necessary to ensure that vulnerable families receive the support they need to provide safe and stable homes for their children.

Article by Prague Forum