For Third Straight Year, More Foster Families Lost Status Than Gained in Latvia

According to an analytical report by the Child Protection Center (BAC) on the work of orphan’s courts in 2025, the number of foster families whose status was terminated exceeded the number of new grants for the third consecutive year. Last year, 40 families were granted foster family status, while 63 lost it. For comparison, in 2024 the figures were 42 granted and 50 terminated, and in 2023 – 51 granted and 57 terminated.

In total, Latvia had 654 foster families in 2025, down from 686 in 2024. The BAC notes that the number of foster families has been declining over the past four years. Of all foster families, 87 (13.3%) had no children placed with them – the lowest percentage in four years. Another 36 families were unable to take in children due to various reasons.

The reasons for termination vary: personal circumstances such as loss of motivation, health problems, burnout, or changes in employment; family circumstances including divorce, childbirth, or relocation. In three cases, status was revoked due to violations.

There are also specialized foster families. Last year, Latvia had 142 specialized foster families, including 96 crisis foster families and 46 for children with disabilities. The specialized status was granted to 10 families and terminated for two. No specialized family had its status revoked due to violations.

A total of 5,160 children were in out-of-family care in 2025 – 181 fewer than the previous year. Most (62.4%) were cared for by guardians, 25.9% in foster families, and 11.7% in institutions. Thus, 88.3% of children received family-based care, but this share is decreasing – from 90.2% in 2023 and 89% in 2024.

The BAC highlights a concerning trend: 82 children were moved from family-based care to institutions last year, including 47 from foster families and 35 from guardians. In institutions, 82% of children stay longer than six months, especially adolescents aged 13-17. The center emphasizes the need to strengthen family-based care and analyze the reasons for frequent changes in caregivers.