Deinstitutionalization of foster care in Poland – the most important assumptions and limitations

Abstract

The aim of this article was to explain the current assumptions of the process of deinstitutionalization of foster care, resulting from the latest regulations of the Act on supporting the family and the foster care system of June 9, 2011 (Journal of Laws of 2023, item 1426, i.e. .), as well as from European requirements and strategic documents adopted in recent years, such as the Common European Guidelines on the Transition from Institutional to Community – Based Care of 2012, the National Framework Guidelines for Creating Local Plans for the Deinstitutionalization of Social Services of 2021, and the Social Services Development Strategy of 2022. Explaining these assumptions, the authors indicated the most important trends in changes in the field of Foster care that have occurred since 2011, i.e. since the implementation of the above‑mentioned act as the legal basis for the deinstitutionalization of foster care. They also discussed the main barriers that significantly limit the implementation of the above‑mentioned process and should encourage government and local government authorities to develop much greater support for improving the quality of foster care functioning. Moreover, the article highlights not only the need to develop family care, but also the importance of institutional care.