Orphans into loving foster families in China

In China, we have had unprecedented success in enabling the government to move children out of institutions (also known as orphanages) and into local family-based care. Our training covers the whole process of placing a child in a family, from assessing the children and foster carers to monitoring the placement.

Once a child is matched with suitable family carers, there is an important process of transition. It is integral to the emotional wellbeing of the child for the stages to remain in this order. Every child is different, and the details of the transition should be determined by the child’s individual needs.

Matching

• A proposed match will be carefully and thoughtfully considered by the family care worker and brought before a panel of professionals to make a decision on the match.
• The decision is made based on the family carers’ skills, expertise and ability to meet the child's needs.
• They will also consider similarities between the child and family carers.

Introductions

• The child and family carers are introduced to each other gradually, supported by the family care worker.
• These introductions may involve fun activities to make the experience less intense for all concerned.

Transition

Children must have a transition stage between meeting the family carers and moving to live with them. This is an important time for children and carers as they get to know each other. There should be a gradual increase in the time spent in the family carers’ home to help both the child and the family carers ensure that they are ready for the new family care arrangement. 

Placement

Once transitions have proceeded successfully, the child moves in with the family carer and is cared for fully within the family.

I hope this gives you a further insight into our training, which has been such a key part of our work in transitioning China from institutional care to family-based care for orphans and vulnerable children.

Stay connected for more updates. Thank you so much for your support.

Preparing children for family placement In China, we have had unprecedented success in enabling the government to move children out of institutions (also known as orphanages) and into local family-based care.

Our training covers the whole process of placing a child in a family, from assessing the children and foster carers to monitoring the success of the placement. One of the important parts of the process is preparing the child for the placement. It is crucial that the following steps are followed to ensure that children are prepared, understand what is happening, and feel safe throughout the process.

Assessment

The family care worker assesses a child individually by asking questions, doing fun activities and exploring their views, wishes and feelings. The developmental, cognitive, medical, psychological and learning needs are also taken into account when considering a child's suitability for family care.

Care planning

Each child should have clear short and long-term plans that detail their needs and outline how they will be met once in family care.These are reviewed regularly and updated as part of ongoing monitoring and support.

Life story work

Life story work helps children to make sense of their past, understand their thoughts and feelings about their present, and explore their wishes for the future. This work is very interactive and great focus is given to the information that is known rather than what is not.

I hope this gives you an insight into this element of our training, which is such a key part of our work in transitioning countries from institutional care to family-based care for orphans and vulnerable children. Stay connected for more updates. Thank you so much for your support.