The professional foster caregiver is a natural person, certified under the conditions of Government Decision no. 679/2003, who, through the activity carried out at their home, provides the upbringing, care, and education necessary for the harmonious development of the children received into foster care.

Within the Procedure, DGASPC Cluj:

• Evaluates the applicants’ ability, for certification as a professional foster caregiver, to provide appropriate care for the child who requires this type of protection;
• Organizes and conducts initial training courses for professional foster caregivers, acting as trainers;
• Prepares the certification file for the professional foster caregiver, maintains and updates the file according to standards in the field;
• Supports and monitors the activity of the professional foster caregiver, ensuring that they are informed in writing, accept, understand, and act in accordance with the quality standards in the field;
• Ensures the professional foster caregiver is informed about the child’s situation, according to the information held, and monitors their compliance with the standards, procedures, and instructions regarding child care, making sure these have been understood and applied;
• Organizes the process of matching the child with the professional foster caregiver,
• Proposes to the Child Protection Commission the withdrawal or suspension of the professional foster caregiver’s certification, in justified cases based on a report;
• Ensures the psychological evaluation of the professional foster caregiver and other family members, as appropriate;
• Identifies the continuous training needs of the professional foster caregiver; organizes and provides continuous training courses/organizes support groups for professional foster caregivers
• Annually evaluates the activity of the professional foster caregiver according to quality standards in the field;