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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Overview of the Debate on Children Without Parental Care and Possible Models of Care

Annemiek van Voorst, 2006

Detailed examination of debate over institutional and alternative care methods for children without parental care. Includes comprehensive framework for collective action.

Keeping Them Home: Aboriginal Out-of-Home Care in Australia

Bruce Valentine and Mel Gray, 2006

This article examines the foster care of Aboriginal children in Australia. It discusses the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle (ACPP), the role of indigenous kinship care and the self-determination of Aboriginal people.

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Consultancy on the Establishment of Foster Care Regulations and Minimum Operating Standards for Insitutional Care of Children in Guyana

Andrew Dunn and John Parry-Williams - UNICEF, 2006

Detailed guidelines for the establishment of the Child Protection Service (CPS), designed to address the lack of regulations concerning standards in children’s institutions and the lack of departmental policy and procedures for assessing and assisting abused and at-risk children. Includes comprehensive set of CPS forms in 14 annexes.

Barriers and Incentives to Orphan Care in a Time of AIDS and Economic Crisis: A Cross-sectional Survey of Caregivers in Rural Zimbabwe

Brian Howard, Carl Phillips, Nelia Matinhure, Karen J Goodman, Sheryl McCurdy, and Cary Johnson, 2006

A survey of caregivers designed to assess barriers and incentives to fostering in rural Zimbabwe. Suggests that incentives for sustainable orphan care should focus on financial assistance.

The Eugene Declaration

Holt International Children's Services, 31 Dec 2005

Recognition of the crises affecting children and a commitment to improving the lives of children.

The Republic of Ghana: Report to The UN Commitee on The Convention on The Righs of The Child, Supplementary Report

The Republic of Ghana, 01 Dec 2005

This document provides written replies by the Government of Ghana concerning t issues received by the Committee on the Rights of the Child relating to the consideration of the second periodic report of Ghana. This includes issues related adoption and fostering.

A Change of Paradigm and Practice

29 Nov 2005

This presentation was given at the Alternative Care Workshop in Bangkok in November 2005. The presentation describes the slow shift toward family-based care options in the South East Asia region.

Establishing a Model of Family-Based Alternative Care

Ministry of Civil Affairs, China, 28 Nov 2005

This presentation was given at the Alternative Care Workshop in Bangkok in November 2005. It provides an overview of the situation for children without parental care in China, the legal framework for child protection in the country, and the social welfare institutions that support children's care.

The Recruitment, Retention, and Support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foster Carers: A Literature Review

Nick Richardson, Leah Bromfield, and Daryl Higgins - National Child Protection Clearinghouse, 01 Nov 2005

The aim of this report was to examine the recruitment, retention, training, assessment and support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people caring for children removed from their parents.

Literature Review of Foster Care

Mkombuzi Center for Street Children , 2005

A brief overview of foster care practice in the UK, Australia, South Africa, Uganda, and Tanzania. It includes information and lessons learnt on how caregivers are recruited and trained in these countries, how a child is placed, and how family support services are offered.