Latvia's foster family numbers continue to decline – third consecutive year with more terminations than new grants

According to the analytical report of the Child Protection Center (BAC) for 2025, for the third consecutive year, more foster family statuses were terminated than granted. In 2025, status was granted to 40 families and terminated for 63, compared to 42 granted and 50 terminated in 2024, and 51 granted and 57 terminated in 2023.

Reasons for termination include personal circumstances such as loss of motivation, health issues, burnout, or employment changes, as well as family situations like divorce, childbirth, or relocation. Three families lost their status due to violations.

The total number of foster families at the end of 2025 was 654, down from 686 in 2024. Of these, 87 (13.3%) had no children placed – the lowest share in four years. Additionally, 36 families could not accept children for various reasons.

There were 142 specialized foster families in 2025, including 96 crisis foster families and 46 for children with disabilities. In this group, status was granted to ten families and terminated for two. No specialized foster family had its status revoked due to violations. At year-end, 15 specialized foster families had no children, and seven could not accept any.

In 2025, 5,160 children were in out-of-family care, down from 5,341 in 2024. Of these, 62.4% lived with guardians, 25.9% with foster families, and 11.7% in institutions. Family-based care covered 88.3% of children, but this proportion is decreasing (90.2% in 2023, 89% in 2024).

BAC highlights a concerning trend: 82% of children in institutions stay longer than six months, especially adolescents aged 13–17. In 2025, 370 children changed care providers, including 82 who moved from family care (47 from foster families, 35 from guardians) to institutions. Conversely, 64 children moved from institutions to foster families, and 41 to guardians.

The center emphasizes the need to analyze the causes of frequent care provider changes and develop support mechanisms to mitigate this, as well as to strengthen family-based care as the most sustainable solution for children's well-being.