The city of Salzgitter is looking for couples and individuals who would like to take responsibility for a child for an indefinite period of time in order to offer them a protected, loving and development-promoting place to grow up in

The City of Salzgitter's foster care service currently looks after 106 foster children in 72 foster families.

Foster families are primarily sought for children between the ages of 0 and 6. The foster care service selects the most suitable foster home for the child. Attention is paid to the needs of the child. Foster families take over the care and upbringing of children where the biological parents cannot guarantee this for a variety of reasons.

Couples and individuals can apply to become foster carers. Same-sex (married) couples as well as patchwork families, single people and single parents can take in a foster child. To be recognized as a foster carer, applicants undergo a vetting process.

There are different forms of full-time care that determine the duration of the placement, and the return to the family of origin is also repeatedly checked. Some children only stay in the foster home for a few weeks or months until their prospects have been clarified or they stay with their foster parents for several years, sometimes until they reach the age of majority and beyond.

Throughout the entire period of fostering the fostered child, the foster parents are supported and advised by employees of the Adoption and Foster Children Service of the municipal Children, Youth and Family Department.