This diploma thesis deals with the connection between foster care and the mental health of children in foster care and explores how foster care affects the mental health of children in foster care. The theoretical part of the diploma thesis includes the role of social workers in foster care, the role of fosters and the position of the child in foster care. The thesis also addresses the hardships and behavioural and emotional problems that children in foster care face. The theme of the theory of attachment follows, then the action from the perspective of power, advocacy, understanding of cultural differences and the awareness that the individual is resistant to change. With this knowledge, foster parents can support the children who live with them.
In the empirical part of the thesis, we conducted a qualitative survey according to theoretical starting points, for which a partially structured interview was used. The survey sample includes six foster parents who come from different places in Slovenia and were willing to participate. We wanted to know what difficulties foster children face, what their coping strategies are, where they turn for help; in particular, how they see the role of social workers and what are the positive practices with which they overcome the difficulties.
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