Foster family as an institution of social protection of childhood: historical and legal analysis

The article examines the process of formation and development of the institution of foster family in Russia as one of the forms of social protection for children left without parental care. The author identifies the main stages in the development of this institution: the pre-revolutionary, Soviet, and modern periods. Based on an analysis of doctrinal sources and regulatory acts, a conclusion is drawn about the evolution of family-based forms of upbringing: from a simple tool for survival and a source of cheap labor to a conscious form of placement that best serves the interests and needs of the child. The foster family is considered an optimal form of placement for orphaned children, combining features of state guardianship and family upbringing. It allows for the preservation of an environment for the child that is as close as possible to a family setting and serves as the foundation for the child's full development.