Improved stability for state-funded foster homes

Families that agree to provide family or emergency homes on assignment for the state will now be given new rights. New standard contracts provide these families with increased economic security, including rights to occupational pensions, paid sick leave and reimbursement of expenses for work-related injury insurance.

"It has been important to secure certain employee rights for these families. Behind this change is also a recognition of the work they do for children and young people with special needs," says Minister of Children and Equality Anniken Huitfeldt.
The new standard contract will also give the families termination protection and the right to termination notice comparable to the norm in ordinary employment relationships. The families will also be granted vacation rights between and during child placements. In addition to improved training and guidance, an important element of the new contract is an increased level of preparedness to provide support in acute situations. The contract period will be increased from one to five years.

"These are committed families and parents who take pleasure in the work they do for young people in difficult situations," says Anniken Huitfeldt. "I'm happy that we can give them greater security and predictability."
Between 800 and 900 families across the country have contracted with the state child welfare service to provide family homes for children and youth who need special attention or to provide emergency homes for young people in crisis. The agreements require one of the parents in the family or emergency home to forego work outside the home.

The standard contracts are prepared by the Ministry of Children and Equality in collaboration with the Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs, the Norwegian association of civil servants (Norsk Tjenestemannslag), the Norwegian Union of Social Educators and Social Workers and the Norwegian Union of Municipal and General Employees. The right to occupational pensions requires a special legislative provision. The government is now preparing such a proposition. The new standard contracts may be implemented as soon as the Storting enacts the law and it is put into effect.