According to the latest changes in the legislation, all those wishing to be guardians must pass the school of foster parents, if it exists at the place of residence. The school of foster parents was created so that future parents could receive help in spiritual and practical preparation for the admission of the child into the family, as well as support and assistance of specialists in solving various issues (social, psychological, legal) that are directly related to adoption or adoption.
In addition, potential caregivers need to really assess their capabilities and strengths before taking the child into the family, finding out what are the most common mistakes, disappointments and expectations of parents, and together with specialists to determine ways to overcome them.
Education in such schools is free. The learning process consists of lectures, practical classes and seminars.
What do they teach in school?
The curricula of such schools are not brought to the same pattern. However, the general ideas can be reduced to the following.
- Acquaintance with the child. Most of these schools honestly admit that most often the guardianship agencies can misrepresent the information about the child, and the employees of the orphanages are not always happy with the first meeting correctly. In the classroom, they tell how not to injure the child and guardians.
- Psychological readiness for the adoption of a child in the family. Experts discuss with the future guardians the motives of the family, including those that can cause a psychological crisis due to unjustified expectations. In addition, candidates undergo various tests on several methods.
- Adaptation. In the classroom you will be introduced to the peculiarities of the child's behavior in the period of getting used to a new life, possible conflicts, ways and methods of overcoming them.
- Psychology of the child left without parental care. Here, experts in general talk about the regular deformations that occur with the psyche of a child who has never had a family or lost it.
- Legislation. The lessons explain how to deal with paper red tape, talk about the rights and duties of guardians, and provide step-by-step instructions for possible actions. Since most people come to school who have not yet collected the entire package of necessary documents, the school's specialists can advise them on this matter.
In some of these schools, it is possible to obtain information on how to identify the potential abilities of the child, which is extremely important and relevant for young children who, due to psychological trauma, may lag far behind in development. Sometimes in school, you can get useful tips on finding a child in a certain region, because the experts understand the situation.
Often in private schools classes are conducted by lawyers, practicing psychologists, orphanage workers, doctors, etc. Communicating with them, guardians can get the fullest idea of what they are going to.
So should I go to school?
Realization of the idea of adoptive parents' schools has not yet reached perfection, however this is a very good idea. Knowledge of this kind is needed by foster families, guardians and adoptive parents for various reasons.
People who work in orphanages and guardianship bodies do not give advice and do not psychologically support. Often candidates are sent to the guardianship authorities, to the management of the children's home, etc. with full confidence that there are specialists who can help them. However, this is not always the case. As a result, there are errors, psychological herbs and other problems.
The life of orphans exists as if separated from the rest of society, most of the children's homes are closed institutions, the fate of the graduates of which the society knows nothing. Therefore, people often tend to idealize or misconceive the process of taking a child into a family. It is best to consult with other candidates and specialists.
Visiting schools of foster parents allows you to find out the necessary information, as well as to avoid possible problems and mistakes.