Creating Safe Environments for Children in need of Foster Care

<< Background >>We applied for the CreatingCare project to address critical gaps in the foster care system across Europe, with a particular focus on the recruitment and retention of foster families, especially for unaccompanied minors. The project responded to the urgent need for innovative tools and strategies to improve the recruitment process and provide continuous support for foster families and professionals. Challenges such as misconceptions about fostering, a lack of tailored training for professionals, and insufficient resources for foster families were key factors motivating our application. By tackling these issues, the project aimed to promote deinstitutionalisation and enhance the well-being and stability of children in foster care.<< Objectives >>The CreatingCare project aimed to achieve several key objectives to improve foster care systems across Europe. Primarily, we sought to enhance the recruitment and retention of foster families, particularly for unaccompanied minors, by developing innovative tools and methodologies. We also aimed to equip foster care professionals with tailored training programs that addressed stereotype-based barriers and improved communication and recruitment strategies. Another core objective was to raise awareness within communities about the fostering process and its importance, thereby encouraging greater social responsibility and solidarity. Through these efforts, we aimed to contribute to the deinstitutionalisation of children in care and ensure they experience stable, nurturing environments that support their overall development and well-being.<< Implementation >>The CreatingCare project was implemented through a series of structured activities designed to achieve its objectives. We began by conducting desk research and focus groups to understand the needs, perceptions, and experiences of foster care professionals and families. This data informed the development of several project results, including tools for recruitment and communication, training modules, and a mobile application for foster families.We organised transnational project meetings to ensure effective collaboration among partners and to monitor progress. Training workshops equipped foster care professionals with skills to overcome stereotype-based barriers and improve recruitment strategies. Additionally, the project included piloting and validation sessions for the developed tools, ensuring their relevance and practicality for diverse European contexts.Dissemination activities played a crucial role in raising awareness about fostering and sharing project outcomes. These activities included online campaigns, publications, and community-based events. To ensure quality, the project employed rigorous monitoring and evaluation processes, guided by a comprehensive quality assurance plan. These efforts ensured that all activities aligned with the project’s objectives and were delivered within the set timeline.<< Results >>The CreatingCare project delivered several concrete outputs and achieved significant results, contributing to the improvement of foster care systems across Europe. Key outputs included the development of innovative tools such as:- A recruitment and communication toolkit for foster care professionals to enhance their engagement with prospective foster families.- A family engagement tool aimed at raising awareness about fostering and encouraging broader community involvement.- Tailored training modules designed to address stereotypes, improve recruitment strategies, and equip professionals with practical skills for supporting foster families.- A multilingual mobile application providing foster families with access to resources, guidance, and local services, ensuring continuous support post-recruitment.These tools were piloted and validated through workshops and focus groups, ensuring their relevance and effectiveness in real-world contexts.Other results included improved collaboration among partner organizations, increased skills and knowledge among foster care professionals, and heightened awareness about fostering within communities. Approximately 1,200 individuals, including foster families, professionals, and stakeholders, participated in project activities, benefiting directly from the outputs. Additionally, the project’s dissemination activities reached broader audiences, promoting sustainability and scalability of its results across Europe. These achievements have significantly contributed to the overarching goal of deinstitutionalisation and enhancing the well-being of children in foster care.