When parents are unable to care for their children, the law provides specific forms of substitute care to ensure protection for children who cannot live with their families. One such form is foster care, in which children are cared for and raised by individuals other than their parents. A foster parent must meet certain conditions and standards to perform foster care activities and must obtain a license to do so. The authority to decide on placement always lies with the court. Placement may occur during the process of deciding on measures for the protection of the child's interests or outside such measures, when the legally defined circumstances for placement in foster care are met. After the decision on placement is issued, a foster care contract is concluded and support for the foster child is planned. During foster care, the foster parent has numerous tasks and obligations. The parents retain the right to contact and the obligation to provide financial support. A foster parent receives a foster care allowance for providing foster care. The foster parent plays a key role in determining the child’s best interest in court proceedings. The institution of foster care presents numerous challenges in practice.
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