The diploma thesis deals with the process of supporting and assisting children as they move from their biological family to a foster home from the perspective of the social workers who participate in this process. It addresses the experiences and difficulties that kids encounter during this transition, as well as the kinds of help that kids get both before and after they enter a foster family. The work with kids is also discussed in connection to the critical skills and knowledge that social workers need to have. In the beginning of the theoretical part, a discussion of the family with an emphasis on the child within it is presented. This is followed by an outline of social work with families. In addition, the paper presents foster care, with a particular emphasis on the applicable law, and social work in foster care. This is followed by topics related to the beginning of foster care, which include preparation of the child, looking after the child, and maintaining his voice in foster care. The empirical part presents a qualitative and exploratory research conducted with eight social workers who participate in the process of helping and supporting children in the transition from their birth families to foster families. The data was gathered with the help of pre-prepared interview guidelines. In the research I analysed the professional responsibilities that social workers have at the start of foster care, the challenges that children face as they transition from their biological family to a foster family, the types of help and support that are given to children before and after entering foster care, how the child's voice is maintained while in foster care, the knowledge and competencies that social workers must possess for successful work in the field, and where do professionals who work with children with experience in foster care see shortcomings and opportunities for improving help and support to children.
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