Foster family system in Turkey as social policy practice: A comparative analysis

Purpose of the research: To determine the processes experienced by children and families who are taken under state protection for various reasons in the foster family model applied in Turkey. During these determinations, the main purpose is to contribute to the literature for solutions by making recommendations to compare the failing aspects of the policies implemented directly or indirectly with the examples applied in the world, to examine their effects and to produce new social policies. Study method: This study is applied research on the adaptation process of families and children. The general perspective and center of the study is to bring up the experiences gained during the implementation of the foster family policy. The findings obtained in the in-depth interviews with reference to the implemented policies are given as reference for a social policy implementation aimed at improving the current situation. Results of the study: A field study was conducted for the comparative impact analysis method used in this study, and interviews were conducted with foster families and foster family associations. For Turkey comparison, the four big cities where the system sees the most movement, Ankara, İstanbul, İzmir and Denizli were selected. Foster family associations and families were contacted, (20) face-to-face interviews were conducted with twenty families, and (3) interviews were conducted with three families via an online questionnaire. Apart from the families interviewed in Ankara and İzmir, 10 (ten) families were contacted, but they did not accept the meeting due to their reservations. One of the most striking issues is the lack of communication between families and the institution. The lack of coordination between the state's own institutions, the perspectives of schools towards children, the attitudes of biological families, foster families, social and family environments were examined. There are differences in the comparison of practices in Turkey and in the world. It has been examined in the literature reviews that social and cultural structures and application methods vary according to countries. A different aspect of the functioning of the foster family system in the world, especially in European countries, non-governmental organizations, associations, agencies work more actively under the supervision of local governments. In Turkey, only foster family associations take an active position in this direction. In the social policies followed in this way, non-governmental organizations, foundations, etc. More emphasis should be placed on activities for voluntary organizations. Keywords: Foster Family, Child Protection Policies, Comparison of practices in Turkey and the World, Social Policy Recommendations.