Foster Care | Better Care Network

Foster Care

The term “foster care” is used in a variety of ways, and, consequently, it often causes confusion and miscommunication. In the industrialized world it is generally used to refer to formal, temporary placements made by the State with families that are trained, monitored and compensated at some level. In many developing countries, however, fostering is kinship care or other placement with a family, the objective(s) of which may include the care of the child, the child’s access to education, and/or the child’s doing some type of work for the foster family.

Such care is informal and unregulated by the State. Foster care can also be understood as formal care, typically provided by adults who are not related to the child, but may include formalized kinship care. It is usually for a limited period until the child can return home or move into a more permanent placement such as adoption.

In emergency situations, such as armed conflict, informal fostering often occurs spontaneously when a family takes in an unaccompanied child. Also, in some emergency situations, agencies have organized a quasi-formal type of foster care to ensure immediate, family-based care for unaccompanied children. Such foster care should be formally arranged by the local authority or child protection organisation and include assessing each child’s best interests; screening, training, and monitoring of caretakers; and planning for the longer term needs of each child.

Foster care can provide the advantages of family-based care within a child’s own community. In some situations, particularly spontaneous care initiated during an emergency, it can become de facto adoption in settings where State child protection services and formalization of care arrangements are very limited or do not exist.

Foster care plays an important role in a situation where a child’s own family is not providing adequately for his or her care. It can provide protection and care for the child while the family situation is improved, with the eventual aim of family reunification.

It is vital that children are provided opportunities to express their wishes and concerns regarding with whom they live and have contact. The appointment of a legal guardian is a means of ensuring their opinions are taken into account.

Foster caretakers often receive support to meet the child’s needs and prevent placement breakdown. This may include parenting guidance and access to basic services for the child. Payment for care requires thoughtful consideration and should not encourage the separation of children from their families, or the use of a child for financial gain. All placements should be regulated to ensure the standards of care protect the child and encourage her development.

This body of literature provides examples from around the world of spontaneous, informal and formal fostering. It includes guidance on standards of care and child care policy.

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Webinar Recording: Spotlight Series on Foster Care Practice Webinar 5 - Participation of Children and Young People with Lived Experience of Foster Care in Decisions that Affect Them

Transforming Children's Care Global Collaborative Platform, 15 Sep 2022

The Task Force on Foster Care of the Transforming Children's Care Global Collaborative Platform held the fifth webinar in the spotlight series on Foster Care Practice on 15 September 2022. The webinar explored participation in foster care with particular focus on individual decision making for children and young people. We heard from people with lived experience of foster care in different contexts, including Uganda, Ireland and Argentina.

Foster Care Leads to Sustained Cognitive Gains Following Severe Early Deprivation

Kathryn L. Humphreys, Lucy S. King, Katherine L. Guyon-Harris, Charles H. Zeanah, 12 Sep 2022

This study, based in Romania, examined longitudinal data from the Bucharest Early Intervention Project, a randomized controlled trial of foster care as an alternative to institutional care following exposure to severe psychosocial deprivation.

Foster Care Leads to Sustained Cognitive Gains Following Severe Early Deprivation

Kathryn L. Humphreys, Lucy S. King, Katherine L. Guyon-Harris, Charles H. Zeanah, 12 Sep 2022

This study examined longitudinal data from the Bucharest Early Intervention Project, a randomized controlled trial of foster care as an alternative to institutional care following exposure to severe psychosocial deprivation. The findings indicate that early investment in family care as an alternative to institutional care leads to sustained gains in cognitive ability.

Addressing the Need for Foster Care in the Context of the Ukraine Crisis

Ukraine Children’s Care Group, 07 Sep 2022

Under the auspices of the Ukraine Children’s Care Group, one of two learning events were held in July and September 2022. This event, "Addressing the need for foster care in the context of the Ukraine crisis", was held on September 7th in collaboration with HDPI. It focused on better understanding the foster care systems and services in Ukraine and neighbouring countries hosting Ukrainian refugee children, specifically Poland, Romania, and Moldova.

Reinstating Parental Rights That Have Been Terminated: Finding Ways to Restore Legal Connections for Children Who Had Been in Foster Care

Linda-Jeanne M. Mack, Richard P. Barth, 01 Sep 2022

This paper reviews the range of factors state legislation includes in the U.S., reviews scant existing literature on how termination of parental rights (TPRs) may effect youth, and proposes several options for ways that unproductive TPRs can be reduced, and timely reinstatements increased.

The Experience of Invisibility Among Birth Children of Foster Parents

Chaya Possick, Yael Doft, Dalit Binschtock, Merav Langental-Cohena, 01 Sep 2022

The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the experience of birth children of foster parents. The study examines the retrospective narratives of 14 Israeli adults, ages 18–38, whose families fostered a child for at least one year in the context of the Israeli foster care system.

Webinar Recording: Spotlight Series on Foster Care Practice Webinar 4: On the Same Team - Parents and Foster Carers Working Together

Transforming Children's Care Global Collaborative Platform, 18 Aug 2022

Speakers from Mothers Choice, Hong Kong and the International Parent Advocacy Network participated in the webinar and their presentations focused on:

- Examples of family based care, reunification and support in Hong Kong
- The shared goals of parents and foster carers
- The resources required to work together successfully

See the Full Webinar Series

Case Story of Transition: Formalizing a Foster Care Program - Identity Mission

Changing the Way We Care (CTWWC), Identity Mission, 30 Jul 2022

The story of Identity Mission tells how a program focused on supporting vulnerable children by providing family-based care solutions alongside the local church came to be and what the challenges were to creating a mission focused on family. It is the story of one person’s own transition.

Locating Foster Care in the Realm of Child Protection and Alternative Care for Children

India Alternative Care Network (IACN), 05 Jul 2022

IACN hosted a webinar titled 'Locating Foster Care in the Realm of Child Protection and Alternative Care for Children' in collaboration with CERI and Foster Care Society.

Foster Youth's Placement Preferences: The Roles of Kin, Siblings, and Age

Shreya Mukhopadhyaya, Kelli L. Dickerson, Thomas D. Lyond, Jodi A. Quasa, 01 Jul 2022

Debates exist regarding whether foster youth should be asked about their placement preferences following removal, with only youth aged 12 years and older at times assumed legally competent to provide input. The present study evaluated whether placement-related factors known to predict youth's well-being also shape their placement preferences and whether preferences differ between youth below and above the age at which they are considered legally competent to provide input.