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Leuven highlights foster care during Foster Care Week

The city of Leuven emphasizes shared parenthood and seeks new foster families for children and adults.

Generic image of a warm and inviting scene depicting a diverse group of people, including adults and children, engaged in a supportive activity. Focus on hands gently interacting or holding, symbolizing care and connection. Soft, natural lighting and a shallow depth of field to create an intimate atmosphere. The background is a blurred, cozy interior suggesting a home environment. No text or specific faces.
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Generic image of a warm and inviting scene depicting a diverse group of people, including adults and children, engaged in a supportive activity. Focus on hands gently interacting or holding, symbolizing care and connection. Soft, natural lighting and a shallow depth of field to create an intimate atmosphere. The background is a blurred, cozy interior suggesting a home environment. No text or specific faces.

During the Foster Care Week, from November 13 to 22, Leuven is increasing attention on foster care, focusing on shared parenthood and the search for new foster families.

From November 13 to 22, Foster Care Week takes center stage, and the city of Leuven aims to use this occasion to inform more residents about the various forms of foster care. The city, which has been committed to foster care since 2018, hopes to find new foster families for children and adults who cannot live at home temporarily.
This year's focus is on shared parenthood within foster care. This concept emphasizes the collaboration between the biological parents, the foster carers, family members, support staff, and other involved parties. The child's well-being is the central concern, with each individual playing their specific role.
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"Foster care is never a solo effort. Behind every foster family is a network of parents, relatives, support workers, and other people who are collectively committed to a child. This collaboration requires trust and commitment from everyone. It is therefore wonderful to see how many people make a difference in a child's life."

Lothe Ramakers · Alderman for equal opportunities and chair of Huis van het Kind Leuven
Despite ongoing efforts, Leuven currently has 177 foster families, but the need remains high. In Vlaams-Brabant, over 100 children are still waiting for a suitable placement. Alderman Ramakers stresses that the city continues to raise awareness about the importance of foster care and hopes that Foster Care Week will inspire Leuven residents to learn more about the diverse possibilities.
In observance of Foster Care Week, Huis van het Kind Leuven, in collaboration with vzw Pleegzorg Vlaams-Brabant, is organizing a film night on Friday, November 20, at 8 PM in the Auditorium of the Tweebronnen library. The documentary Mama, mag ik naar huis toe? (Mom, can I go home?) will be screened, following six mothers whose children are in foster care and offering insight into their experiences and the roles they continue to play.
Following the screening, attendees will receive more information about foster care and can ask questions regarding various forms of foster care, the difference with adoption, and the path to becoming a foster parent. This initiative aims to increase awareness of foster care and foster dialogue and understanding among those involved in foster care stories.
Based on information from the official source: Stad Leuven — Persruimte (10/11/2026)

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