Family homes give children a safe place

What is a family home?

In Sweden, there are laws and rules that say children have the right to be happy. Sometimes parents find it difficult to look after their children. This may be because the parents are ill or have no money. Then there is something called a family home. A family home is a family to which a child can move if the child's own parents cannot look after them. The aim is to ensure that the child grows up safely. This can be for a short time or for several years.

How does a family home work?

When parents are struggling to care for their child, social services can help. Usually, the family and the social services have worked together to find other ways to resolve the situation of the parents and the child first. But if this is not possible, the parents may agree that the best thing for the child is to move to another family. Sometimes a court will decide that the child needs to move if the parents say no.

Frida's family has been a foster home

When Frida was growing up, her family chose to become a family home. Frida's family has therefore been extra large during her childhood as they have had other children living with them as well.

- There have always been many people in our house and I have always had someone to play with," says Frida.

Frida's mother dreamed of becoming a family home

Long before Frida was born, her parents decided to become foster parents. Frida's mother wanted to open up her home and help children who were unwell and not happy at home. The children who have lived in Frida's family have had two mothers and two fathers, their own and Frida's parents.

- The best thing is to always have so many people around you. You are a big family. I don't think about who is my biological brother. They are all my brothers and family.

This text was originally published on February 1, 2021.