In the framework of this master's thesis, I explore the view of foster care providers on foster care and their experience with this arrangement. I was interested in the issues or challenges faced by foster care providers, the way in which the implementation of foster care has affected them and their social network, and the way in which they perceived their role in society; in addition to the challenges they were facing, I was also interested in the improvements they consider important in order to improve the field of foster care. I was also interested in the role of social work in relation to foster care, and in the positive sides of foster care that keep foster care providers going and encourage them to persevere. In the theoretical part, I write about the family as the most important building block of a child's identity in the early years of life, about different types of families, and about the foster family as the central topic of this master's thesis. In the continuation of my theoretical introduction, I write about foster care, the conditions for obtaining and performing foster care activities, and other important participants of the process (in addition to foster care providers). Finally, I focus on the role of the department of social services and the individual group, which is the central place for the participation of all users in foster care. The results for my research, which are presented in the empirical part of my thesis, were obtained through interviews with foster care providers. When asked about the negative side of the implementation of foster care activities, the participants most often noted the fact that these activities are underpaid, as well as the issue of contact with the original family; the upbringing of a child with special needs was also a challenge for them. For the participants, the role of social work was important, since they cooperated well with their social workers who provided them with assistance and support and also adequately informed them of any necessary procedures. Despite their positive impression, the participants stated the need for certain improvements in the field of social work, most often highlighting higher salary. Foster care brings great satisfaction to participants, compounded by the feeling that they can help someone, and they perceive the child in foster care as part of their family.
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