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The 'Start into Adulthood' study provides reliable information about the residents of children's homes, with particular focus on those who have already left residential care institutions, often at the age of 18, and are left to fend for themselves. While the average Pole becomes independent at around 30 years old, those who have grown up in children's homes are expected to be independent right after turning eighteen. Imagine standing at the doorstep of adulthood as you leave the institutional care facility, with nobody to rely on. Can you navigate through life without guidance, support, or experience? How do you actually become an adult?

Therefore, we appeal for an amendment to the law on supporting families and the foster care system, the enactment of other legislation conducive to the aforementioned changes in institutional care, and coordination of efforts among public institutions (including local governments) to decisively improve the situation of institutional foster care. We cannot afford to wait until another generation is swallowed by the black hole of social exclusion after leaving care facilities, so we recommend immediate efforts for:

  1. Availability of housing (including supported housing) - currently, independent individuals leaving children's homes have nowhere to live, so they often return to dysfunctional environments or inadequate foster families.

  2. Professionalization of the independence assistant institution - currently, the process of supporting the independence of a child from a children's home is often handled by rather random, unqualified individuals who lack the necessary resources (including time and availability). We call for the establishment of an independent profession of independence assistant funded by the state budget.

  3. Availability of psychotherapy and reliable career counseling in care facilities - because only a person who understands their own emotions will be able to function as a happy adult.


  4. Increased fluidity of the system and adaptation of PCPR (District Family Support Center) bureaucracy to the real needs of independent individuals - including participation in independence counseling and efficient activation of legally established financial assistance for starting independent life.

  5. Decisive improvement of the professional prestige and employment conditions of staff in care facilities. Qualified and well-paid staff are key to the success of children!

The 'Start into Adulthood' study provides reliable information about the residents of children's homes, with particular focus on those who have already left residential care institutions, often at the age of 18, and are left to fend for themselves. While the average Pole becomes independent at around 30 years old, those who have grown up in children's homes are expected to be independent right after turning eighteen. Imagine standing at the doorstep of adulthood as you leave the institutional care facility, with nobody to rely on. Can you navigate through life without guidance, support, or experience? How do you actually become an adult?

Therefore, we appeal for an amendment to the law on supporting families and the foster care system, the enactment of other legislation conducive to the aforementioned changes in institutional care, and coordination of efforts among public institutions (including local governments) to decisively improve the situation of institutional foster care. We cannot afford to wait until another generation is swallowed by the black hole of social exclusion after leaving care facilities, so we recommend immediate efforts for:


  1. Availability of housing (including supported housing) - currently, independent individuals leaving children's homes have nowhere to live, so they often return to dysfunctional environments or inadequate foster families.

  2. Professionalization of the independence assistant institution - currently, the process of supporting the independence of a child from a children's home is often handled by rather random, unqualified individuals who lack the necessary resources (including time and availability). We call for the establishment of an independent profession of independence assistant funded by the state budget.

  3. Availability of psychotherapy and reliable career counseling in care facilities - because only a person who understands their own emotions will be able to function as a happy adult.


  4. Increased fluidity of the system and adaptation of PCPR (District Family Support Center) bureaucracy to the real needs of independent individuals - including participation in independence counseling and efficient activation of legally established financial assistance for starting independent life.

  5. Decisive improvement of the professional prestige and employment conditions of staff in care facilities. Qualified and well-paid staff are key to the success of children!

The petition for institutional foster care has been signed by 2702

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Thanks to the publication of the report, we are embarking on a path of legislative change. However, this is a tedious and lengthy process. Meanwhile, we can support young people in foster care who are transitioning to independence right now. Please financially support the statutory activities of The Foundation for Good Initiatives!

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