An evaluation of foster family program in Turkey from specialists perspective

The purpose of this study is to evaluate foster care system to practice and make policy in Turkey from the perspective of specialists. The study dwells on the evaluation of specialists who participate in the coordination of foster care system in 81 provincial directorates of Ministry of Family and Social Policies. The evaluation offers an insight into the seek of improvement of the system. The survey methodology is used in the system. The population of the research is constituted by 256 specialists who practice foster care system actively in 81 provincial directorates of Ministry of Family and Social Policies in Turkey. Questionnaire is used as a data collection tool which is prepared by the researcher. After getting necessary permissions, questionnaire is transformed into an online form and sent to 81 provincial directorates of the Ministry by e-mail. At the end of the study, 134 specialists take part in the survey and 130 of them are evaluated. Data gathered, is analyzed by SPSS Version 23 (Statistic Program for Social Sciences). Research findings are investigated under three main titles, which are; "Socio-demographic information of specialists", "Introductory craft knowledge" and "Remarks on the practice of foster care system". With the help of the research findings, foster care system is extensively evaluated. The obstacles that prevent the improvement and the proliferation of the system and related suggestions are revealed. Key Words: Foster parents, foster care system, children with foster-parents, social worker