Foster Care Flanders celebrates 10th anniversary, continues to seek more families

As Foster Care Flanders (Pleegzorg Vlaanderen) marks its tenth anniversary in the week of 8 November, the organisation celebrates the increasing number of children finding homes through foster care. However, the need for additional foster families remains pressing, with around a thousand children and adults still awaiting placement.

Foster Care Flanders was established a decade ago to streamline the previously fragmented foster care landscape in the region. Each province now has a central service supported by a Flemish partner organisation. 

“The number of foster placements surged after our creation,” says Jeroen Vandenbussche, coordinator of Foster Care Flanders. “But there are still about a thousand children and adults waiting for a place in a foster family. During Foster Care Week, we’re holding information sessions to encourage more families to consider fostering.”

In 2013, just before the founding of Foster Care Flanders, there were 4,897 foster placements. By 2024, that number had more than doubled to 10,503, a result of both societal changes and government policy, which now prioritises foster care as the first option for children unable to live at home temporarily. 

“Foster families provide an invaluable service to society by giving children opportunities for growth.“

The demand for foster families has soared over the last decade. “We’ve nearly doubled the number of foster families since 2014,” Vandenbussche notes. “Foster families provide an invaluable service to society by giving children opportunities for growth. However, not all children are suited to foster care. Some benefit more from a professional care setting.”

Foster Care Flanders increasingly focuses on network fostering, where children are cared for within their own network, such as by grandparents, relatives, or family friends. In 2023, nearly 70% of all placements were network-based. Foster Care Flanders offers pedagogical, practical, and financial support in these situations. 

“Despite this, there is still a significant need for new foster families,” says Vandenbussche. “We hope to attract many new foster families during this year’s Foster Care Week.”

To celebrate its ten-year milestone, Foster Care Flanders is hosting a large pancake event. 

^{#FlandersNewsService | Picture shows a sign written on the streets during an action from Pleegzorg Vlaanderen / Foster Care Flanders at Martelaerenplein in Leuven © BELGA PHOTO CHARLOTTE VAN OUDENHOVE}