Adoption and fostering specialist

The adoption and fostering specialist manages, coordinates and carries out the processes necessary for applicant families to be able to adopt or provide a foster home for a child, applying the current national and international regulations and legislation on this matter (for the countries that have ratified the Hague Convention). The specialist carries out these processes from the initial phase of information and assessment of the candidate families to the post-adoption follow-up, for the cases that so require it. They also accompany and advise the families during the legal adoption and fostering process, together with other professionals who are also involved in this process.

• Initiate the administrative steps to formally begin the national or international adoption or fostering process.
  Document and register the adoption or fostering applications submitted by the candidate families.
  Formally register the documents that evidence the legal application to start an adoption or fostering process, and open the respective file.
  Inform, advise and educate the candidate families on the legal procedures to which they will have to submit from the start of the process to the end.
  Provide information on the duties and obligations of the adopting families, once the adoption and fostering process is finalised.
  Refer the candidate families to other organisations or institutions outside of their organisation, but which can provide assistance with the adoption or fostering process.
• Hold the information and assessment sessions necessary for evaluating the suitability of the candidate family in accordance with the established requirements.
  Interview the members of the candidate families, in order to collect the supporting documentation required for the suitability file.
  Refer the members of the candidate family to social workers and psychologists, which will have to assess their suitability based on the following factors: personal circumstances, family and circumstances, socio-economic circumstances, educator ability and expectations in relation to the minor.
  Collect and record, in a suitability report, the results of the assessments, both the supporting documentation and the expert reports.
  Issue the administrative resolution with regard to the suitability of the applicants.
  In the case of international adoptions, process the file at the appropriate organisation of the child's home country, or that of their diplomatic representation.
• Accompany and guide the child acceptance process (or pre-adoption or pre-fostering phase), when the appropriate organisations propose a specific child to the family.
• Record the final judicial resolution, according to which the fostering phase has had the expected results.
• Coordinate with other professionals or institutions that collaborate in the family integration process.
• Coordinate with other international adoption coordination companies.
• Stay up-to-date with the national and international legislation related to adoptions and fostering, as well as the specific bureaucratic procedures of each country.

Regulated training and graduates

• Professional Training Course(s) in the field of Socio-cultural and Community Services - Advanced Level:
• Grau: Administració i direcció d'empreses
• Grau: Ciències empresarials-management
• Grau: Dret
• Grau: Ciència política i gestió pública
• Grau: Ciències polítiques i de l'Administració
• Grau: Antropologia social i cultural
• Grau: Sociologia
• Grau: Educació social
• Grau: Treball social

Complementary training

Analytical thought: Level 2

Initiative: Level 2

Concern for order and quality: Level 3

Empathy: Level 2

Communication: Level 2

Customer orientation: Level 1

Customer service

Direct and personal interaction with people and relating to the public are highly-motivating activities for individuals who have an interest in the field of customer service. A focus on people and on satisfying customers' needs is key in the occupations included in this field. These jobs entail the need to know suitable techniques for attending to the public and being able to give appropriate service that is tailored to their needs and expectations. Good examples are activities which offer assistance and guidance during functions, trips or at facilities, and those which provide advice in relation to products and services.

Management

The organisation, administration and control of a company or entity are the main interests of people related to the management field. Activities included in this field of interest vary from effective resource management, feasibility analyses and solving business problems to the development of skills and fostering of motivation in relation to human resources. Knowledge regarding specific techniques of strategic administration and business management are required to carry out these activities.

Social community worker

Individuals related to the social/community field have an interest in working to improve people's social well-being and quality of life, as well as enhance their integration into their social, family and/or work environment. The professional activities that are common in this field include providing special support and aid to people at risk of social exclusion, designing programmes and implementing resources for the social and cultural stimulation of an area, and acting as mediators for conflict resolution in family, social or interpersonal environments. These activities involve constant interaction with people in order to improve their psychological and social well-being.

Professional counsellor

Employment and local development agent

Technician in international cooperation projects

Job placement specialist

Project Manager

• Work hours

  Around 40 work hours a week. Mainly in split morning and afternoon shifts, or in intensive morning shifts.

• Salary

  As a guideline, it varies between 21,035 and 27,045 euros (gross) a year.

• Professional category

  Technician