Proposed solutions for enhancing the effectiveness of foster family services in Turkey : Turkey - Netherlands

SUMMARY Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine developable aspects of foster family system in our country by comparing with Holland which is one of the countries applying foster family system in a successful way. Material and Method: Current foster family systems of Turkey and Holland are described with dimensions of legal, corporate and social service application in the first section of study. The second section of study contains analysis of qualitative data obtained from system operation-related opinions of social service experts, foster families and non-foster families living in Turkey and Holland chosen via sampling. In-depth interview method was used in meetings where the open-ended questions are used for starting point. Findings: In this study where historical development, legal basis and effectiveness of foster family service are examined, it became possible to describe at which level the foster family system can be operated in our country. In this way, the problems experienced by foster families and social service experts are determined and an image is drawn and compared regarding how foster family system is operated in Holland and Turkey. Result: On the basis of foster family model applied in Holland, missing aspects of studies conducted in Turkey have been determined. Keywords: Foster family, child in need of protection, social services