ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION SUPPORT ON THE WELL-BEING AND DEVELOPMENT OF VULNERABLE CHILDREN AT ZOE FOUNDATION IN AREA 25, LILONGWE, MALAWI.

The well-being and development of vulnerable children remain a top priority for Malawi’s child protection system. Children in foster care and adoptive families frequently experience specific challenges that impact their emotional, social, and developmental results. While foster care and adoption are acknowledged as important strategies for providing alternative family based for vulnerable children in Malawi, there is little information on how these support systems affect their overall well-being and development. Existing research is mainly focused on institutional care, leaving gap in understanding foster and adoptive family’s experiences and the value of various support methods.
Literature indicates that foster care and adoption are important family-based care options that enhance the well-being and development of vulnerable children by offering stable and supportive home environments. Children in foster and adoptive families are more likely to experience positive emotional, social, and developmental outcomes, particularly when caregivers receive adequate support such as training, counseling, financial assistance, and regular follow-up from child welfare professionals. However, in Malawi, most existing studies focus on institutional care, with limited attention given to foster and adoptive families and the effectiveness of support services available to them. As a result, there is insufficient evidence on how these support systems influence children’s overall well-being and development, highlighting the need for further research in this area.
This study aims to evaluate the effects of foster care and adoption support on the well-being and development of vulnerable children. The study will use exploratory design and a qualitative method to gather detailed perspectives from important stakeholders. Data will be gathered through interviews and focus group discussions with adoptive parents, carers and child welfare experts. It will also investigate career experiences, challenges in providing care, the developmental outcomes of children in foster and adoptive homes and the availability and effectiveness of support resources.