Initiating foster homes with parental benefits: showcasing the 'parental benefits model' for foster parents in Bremen
In response to a decreasing number of families willing to take in foster children, a concern shared across Germany, Senator for Social Affairs Dr. Schilling has introduced a model project in Bremen. This project aims to offset income losses and incentivize more families to take in foster children by offering a parental leave-like benefit.
The model project, responsible for the placement of foster children in Bremen, is under the care of the non-profit GmbH PiB (Foster Children in Bremen). The benefit, worth an additional 850 euros per month, is paid in addition to the average flat-rate foster care benefits of 1,900 euros per month.
About a third of the children in foster care in Bremen are younger than three years old, making the need for foster families, especially for infants and toddlers, particularly pressing. The parental leave-like benefit is aimed at the main caregiver of children under eight years of age.
The benefit is designed to provide financial support similar to parental leave, recognizing the caregiving role of foster parents and helping to alleviate the economic pressure that often deters potential foster families. It aims to compensate foster parents financially during the time they care for foster children, make fostering more attractive and feasible, and encourage long-term commitment to fostering by providing a support structure akin to employment protections.
Since early August, the city of Bremen has been implementing this model project, with initial success. Foster parents who provide a second home for children in difficult life situations make an invaluable contribution, according to PiB Managing Director Judith Pöckler-von Lingen.
The city of Bremen is currently facing a difficulty in finding homes or foster families, especially for infants and toddlers. The parental leave-like special allowance for foster parents is considered an important building block to counteract this trend.
While detailed data on the exact reasons for the decrease in foster families or the specific parameters of the benefit in Bremen are not directly available, this explanation aligns with common policy responses in regions facing similar declines in foster family availability based on caregiving burden and economic support hurdles.
The project is initially limited until the end of 2029 and is being financed from the municipal budget of Bremen. Senator Schilling's department has obtained a resolution in the Youth and Family Ministers' Conference for this purpose. The parental leave-like benefit for foster parents is being considered for anchoring in federal law.
In Hannover, a similar model with benefits akin to parental leave has led to six to seven additional families deciding each year to take in a foster child. The city of Bremen is considering expanding the benefit to Bremerhaven as well.
This measure addresses the problem of the declining number of foster families by offering a tangible incentive and recognition of the fostering role's demands, ultimately aiming to boost foster family numbers in Bremen.
The parental leave-like benefit for foster parents, introduced by Senator Dr. Schilling, is set to be considered for incorporation into federal law, aiming to increase foster family numbers across Germany. This policy-and-legislation move is a response to the challenges faced by cities like Bremen and Hannover, where the lack of foster families, particularly for infants and toddlers, is a pressing issue in politics and general news.
