Promoting Inclusion through Foster Care for Children and Youth with Disabilities and Medical Fragility in Germany

Abstract

Children affected by disability or medical fragility in foster care is a somewhat rare situation in Germany. Needing of Out-of-Home-Care, they are mostly cared for in residential homes. This study used in-depth interviews with foster caregivers and Grounded Theory to develop a theoretical structure of strategies used for coping. For a follow-up study 9-18 years later, 58% of the sample of caregivers were revisited. For informed Social Work, students should know that social parenting of children with disabilities reveals to have a great potential to support, protect, care and advocate for the children and to have an inclusive impact on society