Abstract
From a social work perspective, this literature review aims at guiding the development of foster care in Vietnam by discussing current research about foster care from different countries. The literature presents major differences between foster care systems in social democratic states such as Scandinavian countries and liberal welfare regimes such as Canada and the UK. Rehabilitation and family reunion is the number one priority in Sweden while the principle of permanency guides all policy-making in the UK. As a result, in the UK national adoptions are preferred which does not require parental consent, while Sweden places children in long-term foster care. Both forms of foster care have positive and negative aspects. The literature supports the claim that a permanent family is essential for healthy development of children. While developing foster care in Vietnam it is important to recognize the positive and negative aspects of foster care. Home-based care is better for child psychological development than institutional care. However, the lack of permanency within foster care might cause emotional instability among children. The best alternative must be assessed in each specific case. Extending kinship care with government support is recommended as a starting point for the deinstitutionalization process in Vietnam. Foster care should replace institutional care when adoption or family reunion is not a possibility. In order to develop a comprehensive foster care system in Vietnam resources are needed to expand professional social work and deinstitutionalize child care. Institutional care can be reduced by supporting birth parents, expanding regulated kinship care and recruiting foster families. Each of the discussed procedures, issues and possible side effects should be seriously considered while implementing foster care in Vietnam. In addition, Vietnam’s cultural and socio-economic context must also be taken into consideration.
