Why Foster Parents are Decreasing in Bulgaria: An Analysis of Abandoned Children

The story of the twins, who have been living in a hospital for 9 months, has raised the question of abandoned children in Bulgaria. As of the end of January 2024, over 8,100 children are without parental care, according to data from the Ministry of Social Affairs.

Almost half of them live with relatives, around 2,800 children are in family-type accommodation centers, and 1,473 children are placed in foster families.

Why are fewer people willing to become foster parents?

The teams of the “For Our Children” foundation visit mothers who have decided to abandon their children in Sofia hospitals. The most common reason is the lack of opportunities and support from the mothers.

Desislava Petkova, team leader of “Social Support”, “For Our Children” foundation, shares: “When you have poor living conditions, no finances, the father has left the picture, then it is very difficult within the framework of this 5-day stay in the hospital to arrange things so that the mother leaves with the baby.”

Problems in the system

There are only 29 foster families in Sofia. Diana Mincheva, head of “Early Childhood Development and Alternative Care”, “For Our Children” foundation, emphasizes that foster families are extremely insufficient and the departments are placed in a difficult situation, looking for foster families outside Sofia, which hinders contact if work is done towards reintegration.

Foster care is financed by projects, which creates uncertainty among families. Foster parents do not receive work experience, leave or sick leave, except for health insurance, despite caring for children 24/7. Social workers are also overloaded and with low salaries.

Diana Mincheva adds that many children spend a long time in foster families because no action has been taken to register them for adoption.

Possible solutions

Nadezhda Bobcheva, deputy mayor for social activities of Sofia Municipality, proposes reducing the 6-month period in which the parent waits to seek the child, as well as sanctions for parents who abandon their children.

The Ministry of Social Affairs informs about campaigns to promote foster care.