Get support in enforcing the permanent placement of a child with foster carers

• § Section 1632 of the German Civil Code (BGB)

A foster child has been living in a foster family for a long time.

The child's parents or persons with the right to determine the child's place of residence demand the child's return.

The child's welfare is endangered by being taken away from the foster family.

The foster carers want or need support from the Foster Children's Service.

There are no costs.

• The foster carers contact the foster children's service with the request for support/accompaniment if the child is requested to be handed over.
• The foster carers can apply to the family court for the child to remain in the foster family.
• The court can also take action ex officio, so that the youth welfare office can also file a corresponding application.
• Until the proceedings have been concluded, the court can issue a temporary order for the foster child to remain with the foster family until a decision is made.
• Foster children aged 14 and over must always be heard by the court in proceedings concerning the care of persons or property. A child under the age of 14 is heard if his or her inclinations, attachments or will are important for the decision or if it appears necessary to establish the facts of the case.
• The court's decision is always based on the "best interests of the child" principle.

After being contacted by the foster carers, the Foster Children's Service will begin assisting with the proceedings to "keep a child with foster carers". The length of the procedure depends on the duration of the court proceedings before the family court.

• PFAD - Federal Association of Foster and Adoptive Parents
• German Foster Parents Association

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.

Lower Saxony Ministry for Social Affairs, Labor, Health and Equality

To the local youth welfare office