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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A national comparison of carer screening, assessment, selection and training and support in foster, kinship and residential care

Murray Benton, Rohan Pigott, Megan Price, Patrick Shepherdson, & Dr Gail Winkworth - The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, 01 Mar 2017

In June 2015, the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse conducted public hearings in relation to out‑of‑home care (OOHC) and allegations of child sexual abuse occurring in OOHC settings (Case Study 24). In December 2015, the Royal Commission commissioned this national research report.

Lesbian, Gay, and Transgender Adults: Transitioning from Foster Care to Adulthood (Dissertation)

Regina Lawson - Capella University , 01 Mar 2017

A case study approach was utilized to investigate individually and as a group, the aging out process of nine sexual minority adults, specifically, lesbian, gay and transgender (LGT) adults who transitioned from a Mid-Atlantic foster care system to adulthood.

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Lesbian, Gay, and Transgender Adults: Transitioning from Foster Care to Adulthood

Regina Lawson - PhD Dissertation, Capella University, 01 Mar 2017

This dissertation by Regina Lawson, submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Capella University, utilizes a case study approach to investigate the aging out process of nine sexual minority adults, specifically, lesbian, gay and transgender (LGT) adults who transitioned from a Mid-Atlantic foster care system to adulthood. It also explores the extent to which this group of youth, and LGBT youth, perceive their sexual orientation or gender identification impacts their experience of aging out of foster care into adulthood.

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“I don't know where I would be right now if it wasn't for them”: Emancipated foster care youth and their important non-parental adults

Taylor Duke, Susan P. Farruggia, Gary R. Germo - Children and Youth Services Review, 09 Feb 2017

This study investigates how the relationship between youth recently emancipated from care and certain key adults affect the youths' lives.

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Childhood in Africa: An Interdisciplinary Journal (Volume 4 . Issue 1, Spring 2017 )

The Institute for the African Child, Ohio University, 01 Feb 2017

This issue of Childhood in Africa includes several articles related to children's care, including 'Embedding social justice in Ugandan adoption and legal guardianship cases' and 'The care and support of vulnerable children by foster care families in Uganda: Lessons in social justice and social protection.'

What is known about the placement and outcomes of siblings in foster care?

Sarah Meakings, Judy Sebba and Nikki Luke - Rees Centre for Research in Fostering and Education, University of Oxford, 01 Feb 2017

This review of the international research examines what is known about the placement of siblings in foster care.

Supporting children and families affected by a family member’s offending – A Practitioner’s Guide

Lindsay Sutherland and Polly Wright - Barnardo's, i-HOP, Department for Education, 01 Feb 2017

The aim of this guide is to enable practitioners to support children affected by a family member’s offending within a whole family approach.

State of the Nation’s Foster Care 2016

The Fostering Network, 30 Jan 2017

Key findings on the state of the United Kingdom’s foster care system by The Fostering Network note that although most foster carers say they want to continue caring for children, only 55% say that they would recommend it to others.

Dr. Phil Goes To Capitol Hill To Demand Change To The Foster Care System

The Dr. Phil Show, 16 Jan 2017

In this video from The Dr. Phil Show, Dr. Phil discusses the foster care crisis in the U.S. and the negative impact over-reliance on foster care can have on children and families.

“Letting Kids Be Kids”: Youth Voice and Activism to Reform Foster Care and Promote “Normalcy”

Bernard P. Perlmutter - Studies in Law, Politics, and Society, 2017

This chapter examines stories that foster care youth tell to legislatures, courts, policymakers, and the public to influence policy decisions in the US.

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