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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Gender Dysphoria in looked-after and adopted young people in a gender identity development service

Tom Matthews, Victoria Holt, Senem Sahin, Amelia Taylor, David Griksaitis - Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 11 Aug 2018

This research investigated the prevalence of looked-after and adopted young people within a case file review of 185 young people referred to a UK gender identity development service over a 2-year period (1 April 2009 to 1 April 2011).

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The AFCARS Report

US Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children's Bureau, 10 Aug 2018

This report from the US Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children's Bureau presents statistics and figures on foster care in the US for 2017, including the number of children in care disaggregated by age, sex, race/ethnicity, placement type, time in care, and more.

Age-specific risk factors associated with placement instability among foster children

Kierra M.P. Sattler, Sarah A. Font, Elizabeth T.Gershoff - Child Abuse & Neglect, 10 Aug 2018

This study investigated two research questions: (1) Which child attributes and case histories are associated with placement disruptions (moves indicative of child, agency or caregiver dissatisfaction with the existing placement)?; and (2) How do associations of child attributes and case histories with placement disruptions vary by developmental stage --early childhood (0–5 years), middle childhood (6–12 years), and adolescence (13 years or older)?

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Risk and Resilience in the Internalizing Outcomes of Children in Out-of-Home Care

Natasha Hudek - University of Ottowa, 09 Aug 2018

The current studies used longitudinal data collected across 7 years from a sample of 1,765 children, 5 to 14 years old, in out-of-home care in Maryland, USA. This first study examined the trajectories of anxiety and depression across age and time in care separately and the second examined the reciprocal relationships across time between anxiety, depression, and significant risk and protective factors from Study 1.

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Foster Care Alumni and Higher Education: A Descriptive Study of Post-secondary Achievements of Foster Youth in Texas

Toni Watt, Monica Faulkner, Sheila Bustillos, Elissa Madden - Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 06 Aug 2018

Findings from this study suggest that waivers may be a viable strategy for promoting higher education among foster youth.

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Barriers to Degree Completion for College Students With Foster Care Histories: Results From a 10-Year Longitudinal Study

Nathanael J. Okpych, Mark E. Courtney - Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, 06 Aug 2018

This article analyzes secondary data collected from one of the most comprehensive longitudinal studies of foster youth.

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Endline Evaluation Report of Deinstitutionalization of Orphans and Vulnerable Children Project in Uganda

Maestral International in collaboration with Oxford Policy Management and Makerere University, 06 Aug 2018

The objective of this evaluation is to assess the performance of the “Deinstitutionalization of Orphans and Vulnerable Children Project in Uganda” (DOVCU) with regards to the creation of sustainable changes in the lives of two beneficiary groups, namely 43,000 vulnerable children living in targeted households and 2,000 children at risk as a result of an integrated package of support.

Looked After Children & Young People Care Pathway (Healthy Young Minds Tameside & Glossop): August 2018

Dr Nicola Ellis, 01 Aug 2018

This paper reviews the Healthy Young Minds (HYMs) program for looked after children in Tameside & Glossop, UK.

Foster Parent Training Manual: “Empowering Caregivers, Strengthening Families”

UNICEF Ghana and Department of Social Welfare of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, 01 Aug 2018

This Manual provides the materials needed for Ghana's Department of Social Welfare and Foster Care Agency (where applicable) to conduct the following foster care related activities: Foster parent recruitment drives; Foster parent orientation sessions; and Foster parent training.

Looked-after Children: The Silent Crisis

Matthew Oakley, Guy Miscampbell, Raphael Gregorian - Social Market Foundation, 01 Aug 2018

This report from the Social Market Foundation review the care system in the UK, including outcomes for children in care and the "silent crisis" in the care system.