Foster Carers’ Perspective on Financial Issues When Young People Leave Care

Foster care can be defined as a professional assignment that emphasises the importance of family‐like relationships. The paradox in foster care lies in the tension between the professional perspective, where remuneration is provided for the care given, and the familial perspective, where care involves close family relationships. There is limited knowledge about how foster carers understand their assignment in terms of financial support and future family relationships when young people age out of care. The aim of this article is to explore foster carers’ understanding of their responsibilities regarding young people’s financial support after leaving care, and how foster carers view their role in relation to child welfare services (CWS) during the aftercare period: 35 foster carers from 27 foster homes in Norway and Sweden were interviewed. All interviewed carers agreed that young people leaving care need support and advice regarding financial matters. Most carers continued to support young people after they exited care—even when the remuneration for the fostering assignment was uncertain or had ended. These efforts were closely linked to familial relationships and family practices within the foster family. However, carers also expressed uncertainty and ambivalence regarding financial support, often due to a lack of assistance from CWS and/or limitations in their own ability to continue supporting the young person. Thus, CWS must take a more active and engaged role in providing financial advice and support to young people as they leave care, as well as continued support to foster carers.