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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Foster and kinship carer recruitment and retention: Encouraging and sustaining quality care to improve outcomes for children and young people in care.

Giovanna Richmond & Morag McArthur - Institute of Child Protection Studies, 2017

The subject of this report is to present the findings of stage two of a project aimed to address the anticipated risk to the foster care workforce by identifying and disseminating the most effective strategies to attract, support and retain foster caring families across all states and territories in Australia.

Suffer the Little Children and their Mothers: A Dossier on the Unjust Separation of Children from their Mothers

Anne Neale and Nina Lopez for Legal Action for Women, 2017

This Dossier aims to show the extent of the problem of children being taken into care in the UK and the trauma of family separation, the supporting evidence self-help groups of mothers are beginning to get from professionals, and to make proposals for action.

The potential of successful parenting in foster families

Bezrukova O.N., Samoilova V.А. - Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya [Sociological Studies], 2017

The article contains analysis of parental potential in foster families and the resources of its strengthening with the support of the professional community.

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The childcare and early learning experiences of children in out-of-home care: What does the Pathways of Care Longitudinal Study tell us?

Katie Page, Christie Robertson - Department of Family and Community Services (NSW), 22 Dec 2016

This Evidence to Action Note outlines key findings related to the childcare and early learning experiences of a group of children in out-of-home care (OOHC) in New South Wales aged 9 months to 5 years, drawing on the first interview with their carers for the Pathways of Care Longitudinal Study (POCLS).

The impact of changing neighborhoods, switching schools, and experiencing relationship disruption on children’s adjustment to a new placement in foster care

Kya Fawley-Kinga, Emily V. Trask, Jinjin Zhang, Gregory A. Aarons - Child Abuse and Neglect, 04 Dec 2016

The current study examined the impact of transitions on foster children’s adjustment to a new placement in out-of-home care in the US.

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A Series on Alternative Care: Foster Care

Udayan Care and UNICEF, 01 Dec 2016

This booklet covers the latest legal and policy framework on Foster Care in India, which has been presented in an easy-to-understand style so that it can be used as an effective reference material by all stakeholders.

Reflections on the non-accidental death of a foster carer

Kirstie Maclean - Adoption & Fostering, 24 Nov 2016

This article is a case study and analysis of the death of a foster carer in Scotland at the hands of the child for whom she was caring.

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Developing family-based care: complexities in implementing the UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children

Jennifer C. Davidson, Ian Milligan, Neil Quinn, Nigel Cantwell & Susan Elseley - European Journal of Social Work, 18 Nov 2016

This paper draws on the literature and practice examples from around the world to examine the fundamental challenges experienced by States in their efforts to implement the 'suitability principle,' as described in the Guidelines for the Alternative Care for Children.

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Celebrating 60 Years of Fostering

MSF Singapore, 18 Nov 2016

In this video celebrating 60 years of fostering in Singapore, Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) features a family who has been fostering for approximately 16 years.

A Movement to Transform Foster Parenting

Annie E. Casey Foundation, 15 Nov 2016

This report explores ways for public agencies to ensure that children receive the care they need by enlisting more volunteers to step forward as foster parents and by encouraging the extraordinary individuals who have already answered the call to continue their commitment to care. The report identifies three major themes for engaging and empowering foster parents: ensuring quality caregiving for children; forging strong relationships; and, finding and keeping more amazing caregivers.