Research on Adolescent Foster Family Recruitment - Full Transcript of 126 Interviews.pdf

According to government data, there is a slow decline of foster care in Italy, especially for teenagers. The need to provide an intense stimulus to foster care is clear. This study conducted individual qualitative interviews with 126 foster parents of teenagers, transcribed and analysed using Atlas.ti software. Valuable indications for social services were individuated. The importance of the foster parents’ intrinsic motivations and the suggestion for social services to emphasise them in the recruitment campaigns were reaffirmed. The appropriateness of directing the proposal towards foster parents with previous experience in parenting, foster parenting, or working with teenagers, was also confirmed. Additionally, results revealed that foster parents connected to foster parents’ associations/networks and religious groups are preferred. The importance of the relationship between foster parents and social services as well as suitable support for the ongoing fostering is pivotal. Establishing a relationship based on trust and the diffusion of the foster care invitation through testimonies and word-of-mouth was also highlighted. The initiatives aimed at promoting spaces and occasions for teens in need of foster care and potential candidates for fostering to meet have promising outcomes.