Information for foster children
Foster care is when a child has to live in another home for a long or short period of time because parents cannot provide the care that the child needs.
A child is not in foster care longer than necessary and there should be regular checks whether it is necessary to continue.
A child has the right to express his or her opinion regarding going into foster care and feelings about foster care.
A staff member at the child protection services monitors the child and can answer his or her questions.
We have summarized some of the typical questions and answers from children in foster care.
Questions about foster care
When children go into foster care, their needs and wishes are very important.
You can say you'd like best, or ideas about what's important to you. For instance where in the country you'd like to live, or whether you're practicing any sports.
Talk to the people at the child protection services who are handling your case and let them know.
If it's been decided that a child should go into foster care, it's because all other options have already been tried.
You have the right to know why you are going into foster care, and what's planned for the future.
You can say what you think about it, and if you're older than 15 years old you have to give your approval before you go into foster care.
Talk to the people at the child protection services who are handling your case and let them know.
It depends on your situation.
If you refuse, the first step would likely be to look at other possibilities. But if the child protection services are sure that foster care is the best solution for you, they may ask that other authorities make a final decision about the case.
There will always be an attempt to have brothers and sisters in the same foster care family, if that's best for everyone.
If for some reason that's not possible, you have the right to talk to your brothers and sisters regularly, and meet them.
You can take things with you that you own. You need to discuss though with your parents and your foster parents what you take with you.
Talk to the child protection service workers who handle your case, and get them to help you decide what to take with you.
You and your foster parents need to decide together what rules there should be about phone use at the foster home.
If it's hard for you to discuss this with your foster parents, you can talk to someone at the child protection services about it.
Questions about the rights of foster children
It is important to listen to children in foster care.
You can let the child protection services know about your opinions, whether in conversation or in writing. They are supposed to consider children's opinions when making decisions.
You have the right to a contact person there who makes sure your opinions are heard by those making decisions, for instance about your visits with family and friends.
If you feel that you don't want to be in foster care any longer, talk about it with a staff member at the child protection services. You can look together at what is causing that situation, and what solutions are possible.
You can also discuss the reasons that you are in foster care, and what needs to change so that you wouldn't need it any more.
Sometimes children need more support so that they feel all right. It's the job of the child protection services to look at what can be done about that.
If you are 15 years old or older, you are an official party in the case. This means among other things that your consent for foster care is required, and that you can change your mind. If you refuse to be in foster care, it's likely that other possibilities are already being examined, but if the child protection services are sure that foster care is the best solution for you, it's possible they may ask that other authorities make a decision about the case.
When you're in foster care, there is supposed to be an arrangement with the child protection services which lays out who you have the right to meet, and how it should be done. Generally children have the right to talk to or meet their parents, brothers and sisters, and other close relatives. Children can give their opinion about who they want to meet.
When children are 15 years old and older, they can make demands about who they want to be in contact with. Get in touch with a staff member of the child protection services if there is someone you want to meet while you're in foster care, and see whether that can be arranged. The child protection services then make a decision based on what they think is best for you.
You have the right to meet or be in contact with your parents or other close relatives. If you don't want to meet them, then you should tell a child protection service employee what arrangement you'd like. They will then look at what's possible.
The child protection services decide whether there can be contact between foster homes. A decision about whether you can meet, how often, and how, is made based on what's best for you. Ask your foster parents to help you with this if you need.
Before you went into foster care decisions were made about what type of support you should receive. Talk with a staff member at the child protection services and check what support should be available to you. If you think something is missing and you want more support, let the child protection services know.
If you want to take part in a free-time activity, discuss it with your foster parents. They can help you with what you'd like to do. You can also talk with the child protection services about it, they can give you support in finding out what you can do.
If you want to take a driving test, discuss it with your foster parents. They can help you look at what you can do. You can also ask a staff member at the child protection services, they can help you find what you need to do.
You should start by contacting the child protection services and talking to your case manager there. If you think it's uncomfortable to discuss this with them, let your foster parents know, and they can help you. A counsellor at the National Agency for Children and Families can also give you advice, you can send an email to fostur@bofs.is or call 530 2600.
If the situation doesn't improve, you can send a complaint about the work of the child protection services to the Quality and Supervisory Authority of Welfare.
You start by contacting the child protection services and talking to a staff member there who can help you. Counsellors at the National Agency for Children and Families can also advies you, for instance if you send an email to fostur@bofs.is or call 530 2600.
If the situation doesn't improve by talking about it with people there, you can send a complaint about a foster home to the Quality and Supervisory Authority of Welfare.
Questions about how foster care ends
In general, foster care ends when it is no longer needed, either because the circumstances have changed or the individual has become an adult (at least 18 years old).
The child protection services decide when foster care ends, and foster care should not last longer than necessary. If you want to go back to your parents, the child protection services need to review whether conditions have changed enough, or whether there's something more that needs to change first.
Talk to someone at the child protection services who can look at the possibilities with you.
You should begin by talking to your foster parents, and telling them what you want. Then you should talk to someone at the child protection services about how you're feeling.
In the end it's the child protection services who decide whether you can stay at the foster home, after they've spoken with your foster parents.
Talk to your foster parents and tell them that you want to stay in contact with them. Find out together with them whether that's possible, and how it could be done. You can also talk with someone at the child protection services, they can help you too.
There are a lot of factors that affect what happens when you turn 18 and become legally adult. You could for instance want to become independent, og ask that the foster care be extended until you become 20.
The child protection services should discuss this with you well in advance of your birthday, and go over with you the various possibilities on offer.
If you, your foster parents, and the child protection services all agree, it's possible to decide that foster care will extend until you turn 20.
The child protection services take the final decision, and if you disagree with that decision you can make an appeal to the Welfare Appeals Committee.
At age 18, you become legally capable of making your own decisions, and you get to decide what comes next.
It's important to keep in mind that most people need support when it's time to leave jome. Discuss it with someone at the child protection services what types are support are available if you decide to move into your own home.
If you need special support or assistance with housing, for instance due to a disability, a staff member of the child protection services can help you apply for the service you need. Keep in mind that there can be a waiting period for services of this kind, for this reason it's important that you discuss this in advance with the child protection services.
Different things can happen when foster care ends at age 20. Some people keep living with their foster parents, others go to live on their own, or in some other type of housing arrangement.
If you want to know about what can happen next, it's good to have a conversation with your foster parents and a staff member of the child protection services who can help you make a decision about what fits your needs best.
The child protection services end their involvement when you turn 20. If you need, the child protection services can help you find services and support with the social services.
If you have any further questions, you can contact the National Agency for Children and Families or call 530 2600 for advice.