More than 60,000 children lived in foster families in 2019 in mainland France, according to a Drees study published Thursday.
The number of host households stood at 25,600, or 2.35 children hosted per household on average.
These young people are welcomed there within the framework of therapeutic or medico-social care.
60,100 children lived in foster families in 2019 in mainland France, according to a study by the Department of Studies and Statistics of Social Ministries (Drees) published Thursday. She specifies that the number of host households was 25,600, or 2.35 children hosted per household on average.
The vast majority of these young people are received there under Social Assistance for Children (ASE), but also under the Judicial Protection of Youth (PJJ) or as part of therapeutic or medico-social.
More than half are boys
In detail, children or young adults under 21 living in foster families are 10.3 years old on average, with almost a third belonging to the 11-15 age group. Boys make up 53% of these young people.
Concerning the level of diplomas and studies, only 29% of young people living in host families and aged 18 (thus old enough to pass the baccalaureate) have a diploma equivalent to or higher than the baccalaureate, compared to 60% of young people of the entire population of the same age, notes the study. Among young people in care without a high school diploma, 26% have a CAP or BEP, compared to 15% in the general population.
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“These differences reflect the less linear educational trajectories of children living in foster families, and perhaps their choice to follow short, professional training courses with the aim of obtaining financial independence more quickly,” according to Drees.
Children welcomed mainly in Hauts-de-France
“The under-representation of 18-20 year olds can be explained by the fact that, until 2022, the departments were not required to offer support, nor to young adults concerned by a child protection measure during their minority, nor to all young adults in social and family difficulties”underlines Drees.
As for host households, these are mainly couples, with child(ren) (53%) or without children (32%), and who live in houses. Hauts-de-France alone concentrates more than a sixth (10,400) of children living in foster families. Then come New Aquitaine (6,400) and Occitanie (6,000). Conversely, the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (2,700) and Centre-Val de Loire (3,000) regions are those with the fewest.
