Motivation of Temporary Foster Carers

Kateřina Hulinská, Karel Rezac

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Our research aimed to discover the initial motivation of temporary foster parents to join the system of of the social andlegal protection of children. THEORETICAL BASE: For the theoretical background, we conceptualized the terms motivation, including the differentiation among various types of motives and types of temporary foster care in a broader context; these include the personality of the foster parent, the process of arranging foster care and accompanying organizations and related financial support. METHODS: We employed a qualitative research strategy using a semi-structured interviews and a research sample of temporary foster carers (N = 6) for the empirical data. OUTCOMES: The study confirms insights into the prevalence of altruistic motives among foster parents. It also identifies demotivational barriers in current practice and sheds light on the significance of maintaining personal sympathies during collaboration with social workers. Additionally, the study determines the appropriate preconditions for individuals serving as temporary foster carers. SOCIAL WORK IMPLICATIONS: The results provide incentives for the development of the current practice of foster family care, which we perceive in the context of the development of this segment of social work as a potential for stabilisation and sustainability of the institute of foster care for a transitional period in the coming years, when the effects of the pressure of transformation efforts to deinstitutionalize care for children at risk can be expected.

Keywords
foster care, foster parents motivations, foster parents, caring professionals, endangered foster children, temporary child care

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