Becoming a host family
Last update
A child with social difficulties and problems at home, possibly in combination with psychological problems that their family is unable to cope with adequately on their own, may benefit from various forms of assistance in the interest of their well-being.
If the separation from the family of origin is necessary, it can be initiated:
- either at the request of the child (if the child is capable of discernment) or of the person(s) with parental authority over the child, after intervention of the National Office for Children (Office national de l'enfance - ONE);
- or by way of a judicial decision.
The purpose of a host family is to provide a home environment in which the child is incorporated into a family structure, but without severing links with the child's original family. The separation from the family of origin may be temporary or permanent, and take place during the day and/or during the night.
Anyone wishing to become a host family must comply with a number of conditions to ensure that children in difficulty are properly cared for.
Who is concerned
Any adult person can offer to become a host family provided they:
- reside in Luxembourg; and
- meet the conditions of good repute; and
- have a stable income.
Prerequisites
Socio-educational foster care provided by a family consists in the non-occasional care of children:
- on a permanent or temporary basis;
- during day and/or night;
- at the request of:
- either the child (if the child is capable of discernment) or of the person(s) with parental authority over the child, after intervention of the National Office for Children (Office national de l’enfance - ONE);
- or by way of a judicial ruling.
To carry out this activity, the host family must be able to:
- provide an appropriate living environment and appropriate care for the children they take in;
- comply with the requirements in terms of number of children and the conditions set out in the approval (no more than 4 children at any one time, unless an exemption is granted);
- be able to provide an infrastructure that meets the minimum criteria provided for by:
- article 27bis of Grand Ducal regulation of 17 August 2011, as amended, on the approval of the managers of activities for children, young adults and families in distress; and
- the general terms and conditions (point 10 of the application file);
- complete a 'selection, preparation and training' procedure lasting no more than 30 hours with one of the hosting oversight bodies and obtain the selection certificate;
- attend the 54-hour basic training course for host families, organised under the supervision of the minister responsible for Children and Youth;
- devote at least 12 hours a year to attending continuing training and/or supervision sessions;
- understand and speak at least one of Luxembourg's 3 official languages (German, French and Luxembourgish)
- agree to be monitored regularly by one of the hosting oversight bodies;
- not be prohibited from engaging in this type of activity as the result of a criminal conviction.
| Surname | Address | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARCUS Familljenhaus Stad Lëtzebuerg | 2, place de Strasbourg L-2562 Luxembourg |
(+352) 40 49 49 400 | - |
| ARCUS Familljenhaus Osten |
11, Schaffmill L-6778 Grevenmacher |
(+352) 40 49 49 700 | (+352) 40 49 49 701 |
| ARCUS Familljenhaus Süden |
23, rue du Nord L-4260 Esch-sur-Alzette |
(+352) 40 49 49 500 | (+352) 40 49 49 501 |
| ARCUS Familljenhaus Westen |
3-7, rue G.-D. Charlotte L-7520 Mersch |
(+352) 40 49 49 600 | (+352) 40 49 49 601 |
| ARCUS Familljenhaus Norden |
16, Haaptstrooss L-9764 Marnach |
(+352) 40 49 49 900 | (+352) 40 49 49 901 |
| Accueil familial Croix-Rouge luxembourgeoise | 10, cité Henri Dunant L-8095 Bertrange |
(+352) 27 55 64 00 | (+352) 27 55 64 01 |
| Antenne familiale Kannerduerf Esch | 1, rue Helen Buchholtz L-4048 Esch-sur-Alzette |
(+352) 54 55 45 | (+352) 54 16 84 |
| Antenne familiale Kannerduerf Mersch | 10, rue Hermann Gmeiner L-7534 Mersch |
(+352) 32 85 94 | - |
| Antenne familiale Kannerduerf Nocher | 8, Duerfstross L-9674 Nocher |
(+352) 26 95 49 | (+352) 26 95 49 50 |
How to proceed
Submitting the application
Interested persons must complete the application file for socio-educational foster care in a host family or family placement:
- either using the online procedure on MyGuichet.lu;
- or by downloading the specific form and sending it by post, along with the required documents, to:
Ministre de l’Éducation nationale, de l’Enfance et de la Jeunesse
Direction générale de l’aide à l’enfance et à la famille
33, rives de Clausen
L-2165 Luxembourg
In the case of incomplete applications, the service for childhood support (Service de l'aide à l'enfance) of the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth:
- will ask the person concerned to submit any missing documents; and
- guide said person to the hosting oversight bodies in the event where said person is not yet in contact with one of these bodies;
In the case of a complete application, the ministry's service for childhood support:
- sends an acknowledgement of receipt to the person concerned; and
- guides said person to the hosting oversight bodies in the event where said person is not yet in contact with one of these bodies.
Please note that requests for missing documents and/or receipts are sent through the same channels as those used for the submission of the application. For instance, if an application was filed through MyGuichet.lu, all communications between the ministry and the applicant will be through that channel.
Selection procedure
Candidates must contact the hosting oversight body of their choice and complete the 30-hour 'selection, preparation and training' procedure, and then inform the ministry's service for childhood support.
If the 'selection, preparation and training' procedure is successfully completed, the candidate will be awarded a selection certificate from the body in question.
Once the candidate has received the selection certificate and the evaluation report, the ministry's service for childhood support has 3 months to assess the conditions in the host family. This inspection is based on:
- a verification of the application file; and
- a visit at the person's home.
If the ministry does not respond within 3 months, approval is deemed to have been granted.
Approval
Granting of the approval
If approval is granted, it may be:
- a conditional approval, which is provisional, with a validity of 2 years. It is granted to the person concerned if the condition of professional qualification is not met;
- an unconditional approval which has permanent validity. It is granted to the person concerned if all the conditions have been met.
Please note that the holder of conditional approval may, at any time, obtain unconditional approval, and conversely, unconditional approval may be changed to conditional approval at any time.
A certificate of recognition as a social support service for children is granted to the candidate by the minister.
From that point onwards, the person concerned can take in one or more children, and receives compensation and maintenance costs financed by ONE.
Refusal of approval
Approvals may be refused in the following cases:
- the conditions required have not been met; and
- the hosting oversight body or bodies issued a negative opinion following the 'selection, preparation and training' procedure.
Appeals
Decisions on the granting, refusal or withdrawal of approvals may be appealed before the administrative tribunal. Appeals must be lodged on pain of debarment):
- by the applicant or the holder of approval, within 1 month of notification of the decision; or
- by a third party, within 1 month of publication of the decision in the Official Journal (Mémorial).
Exemptions from the approval conditions
In the case of hosting a child who is a second or third degree relative (second degree of kinship = siblings, grandchildren; third degree of kinship = great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces) in a situation of psychosocial distress duly noted by ONE or following a court decision, the host family may request an exemption from the training and approval requirements from the ministry. Nonetheless, the placement is still subject to oversight by a specialised service.
Any person who is fostering a young second- or third-degree relative can fill in the 'Exemption in relation to the conditions for approval to carry out socio-educational foster care activities in a host family' application form:
- either using the online procedure on MyGuichet.lu;
- or by downloading the specific form and sending it by post, along with the required documents, to:
Ministre de l’Éducation nationale, de l’Enfance et de la Jeunesse
Direction générale de l’aide à l’enfance et à la famille
33, rives de Clausen
L-2195 Luxembourg
Financing of host families
Socio-educational foster care during day- and/or night-time by a host family is financed by the National Office for Children (ONE) in the form of daily flat-rate fees, which are paid for the days the child or young adult actually spends with the host family.
This flat-rate sum is made up, where applicable, of maintenance costs and compensation, the amounts of which are set by the amended Grand Ducal regulation of 17 August 2011 on the financing of child and family support measures.
Billing and payment is monthly.
Other forms of financial aid to which host families may be entitled
A child who is with a host family both day and night must be declared to the commune's population office. As hosted children form part of the host's household, the host family is entitled to family allowances for the hosted child, and also to the tax allowance for children.
Any expenses incurred for the child's initial establishment in the household, and certain special expenses (medical bills, school costs, paramedical and extracurricular costs) for the child may also be covered by way of reimbursement by the oversight service.
Online services and forms
Who to contact
-
National Office for Children (ONE)
- Address:
-
33, rives de Clausen
L-2165
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
L-2926 Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 73 696
- Email address:
- one@one.etat.lu
Open Closes at 18.00
- Thursday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Friday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Saturday:
- Closed
- Sunday:
- Closed
- Monday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Tuesday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Wednesday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
-
National Office for Children (ONE) Regional Office for Children - Capellen
- Address:
- 2-4, parc d’activités Capellen (Bât.C) L-8308 Capellen Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 73 696
- Email address:
- one@one.etat.lu
Ouvert Ferme à 18h00
- Jeudi:
- 8h00 à 18h00
- Vendredi:
- 8h00 à 18h00
- Samedi:
- Fermé
- Dimanche:
- Fermé
- Lundi:
- 8h00 à 18h00
- Mardi:
- 8h00 à 18h00
- Mercredi:
- 8h00 à 18h00
-
National Office for Children (ONE) Regional Office for Children - Differdange
- Address:
- 2, rue John Ernest Dolibois L-4573 Differdange Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 73 696
- Email address:
- one@one.etat.lu
Open Closes at 18.00
- Thursday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Friday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Saturday:
- Closed
- Sunday:
- Closed
- Monday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Tuesday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Wednesday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
-
National Office for Children (ONE) Regional Office for Children - Dudelange
- Address:
- 41, rue de la Forêt L-3471 Dudelange Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 73 696
- Email address:
- one@one.etat.lu
Open Closes at 18.00
- Thursday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Friday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Saturday:
- Closed
- Sunday:
- Closed
- Monday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Tuesday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Wednesday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
-
National Office for Children (ONE) Regional Office for Children - Esch-sur-Alzette
- Address:
- 65b, rue Zénon Bernard L-4031 Esch-sur-Alzette Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 73 696
- Email address:
- one@one.etat.lu
Open Closes at 18.00
- Thursday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Friday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Saturday:
- Closed
- Sunday:
- Closed
- Monday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Tuesday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Wednesday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
-
National Office for Children (ONE) Regional Office for Children - Grevenmacher
- Address:
- 2A, avenue Prince Henri L-6735 Grevenmacher Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 73 696
- Email address:
- one@one.etat.lu
Open Closes at 18.00
- Thursday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Friday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Saturday:
- Closed
- Sunday:
- Closed
- Monday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Tuesday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Wednesday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
-
National Office for Children (ONE) Regional Office for Children - Hesperange
- Address:
- 33, rue de Gasperich L-5826 Hesperange Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 73 696
- Email address:
- one@one.etat.lu
Open Closes at 18.00
- Thursday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Friday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Saturday:
- Closed
- Sunday:
- Closed
- Monday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Tuesday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Wednesday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
-
National Office for Children (ONE) Regional Office for Children - Marnach
- Address:
- 1, Marbuergerstrooss L-9764 Marnach Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 73 696
- Email address:
- one@one.etat.lu
Open Closes at 18.00
- Thursday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Friday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Saturday:
- Closed
- Sunday:
- Closed
- Monday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Tuesday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Wednesday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
-
National Office for Children (ONE) Regional Office for Children - Mersch
- Address:
- 5, rue des Prés L-7561 Mersch Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 73 696
- Email address:
- one@one.etat.lu
Open Closes at 18.00
- Thursday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Friday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Saturday:
- Closed
- Sunday:
- Closed
- Monday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Tuesday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Wednesday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
-
National Office for Children (ONE) Regional Office for Children - Mompach
- Address:
- 10, um Buer L-6695 Mompach Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 73 696
- Email address:
- one@one.etat.lu
Open Closes at 18.00
- Thursday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Friday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Saturday:
- Closed
- Sunday:
- Closed
- Monday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Tuesday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Wednesday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
-
National Office for Children (ONE) Regional Office for Children - Nordstad
- Address:
- 57, Grand-Rue L-9050 Ettelbruck Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 73 696
- Email address:
- one@one.etat.lu
Open Closes at 18.00
- Thursday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Friday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Saturday:
- Closed
- Sunday:
- Closed
- Monday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Tuesday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Wednesday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
-
National Office for Children (ONE) Regional Office for Children - Redange/Attert
- Address:
- 74, Grand-Rue L-8510 Redange/Attert Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 73 696
- Email address:
- one@one.etat.lu
Open Closes at 18.00
- Thursday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Friday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Saturday:
- Closed
- Sunday:
- Closed
- Monday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Tuesday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Wednesday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
-
National Office for Children (ONE) Regional Office for Children - Remich
- Address:
- 12, route de Mondorf L-5552 Remich Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 73 696
- Email address:
- one@one.etat.lu
Open Closes at 18.00
- Thursday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Friday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Saturday:
- Closed
- Sunday:
- Closed
- Monday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Tuesday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Wednesday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
-
National Office for Children (ONE) Regional Office for Children - Strassen
- Address:
- 5, rue Thomas Edison L-1445 Strassen Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 73 696
- Email address:
- one@one.etat.lu
Open Closes at 18.00
- Thursday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Friday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Saturday:
- Closed
- Sunday:
- Closed
- Monday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Tuesday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Wednesday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
-
National Office for Children (ONE) Regional Office for Children - Wiltz
- Address:
- 8, avenue Nicolas Kreins L-9536 Wiltz Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 73 696
- Email address:
- one@one.etat.lu
Open Closes at 18.00
- Thursday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Friday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Saturday:
- Closed
- Sunday:
- Closed
- Monday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Tuesday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
- Wednesday:
- 8.00 to 18.00
2 of 15 bodies shown
Ministry of Education, Children and Youth General Directorate for Childhood and Family Support / General Directorate for the Youth Sector
- Address:
-
33, rives de Clausen
L-2165
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
L-2926 Luxembourg
- Phone:
- (+352) 247 85100
- Email address:
- info@men.lu
Open Closes at 11.30
- Thursday:
- 8.30 to 11.30 , 14.00 to 17.00
- Friday:
- 8.30 to 11.30 , 14.00 to 17.00
- Saturday:
- Closed
- Sunday:
- Closed
- Monday:
- 8.30 to 11.30 , 14.00 to 17.00
- Tuesday:
- 8.30 to 11.30 , 14.00 to 17.00
- Wednesday:
- 8.30 to 11.30 , 14.00 to 17.00
Related procedures and links
Procedures
Links
Further information
-
Contact
sur le site d'ARCUS ASBL
-
Foster care
on the website of the Red Cross Luxembourg
-
Become a foster family
on the SOS Kannerduerf Lëtzebuerg website
Legal references
-
Loi modifiée du 16 décembre 2008
relative à l'aide à l'enfance et à la famille
-
Règlement grand-ducal modifié du 17 août 2011
concernant l’agrément à accorder aux gestionnaires d’activités pour enfants, jeunes adultes et familles en détresse
