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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What We Know about the Effects of Foster Care

Thomas McDonald, Reva Allen, Alex Westerfelt, and Irving Piliavin , 1992

This article, published in the book ‘Assessing the Long-Term Effects of Foster Care: A Research Synthesis,’ provides an overview of the history of the foster care system in the United States and findings from multiple studies on the effects of foster care on children.

Key principles for foster carers and adopters who are helping a child to move to adoption

University of East Anglia,

This leaflet outlines six important principles for foster carers and adopters to hold in mind as they work together to help children to move to adoption.

Changing Futures

Changing Futures is a website for young people made by young people with experience of Tusla [child welfare] services in Ireland.

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Developing Foster Care in Vietnam: A Literature Review

Linda Verngren and Luong Quang Hung,

From a social work perspective, this literature review aims at guiding the development of foster care in Vietnam by discussing current research about foster care from different countries.

Singapore Alternative Care Case Study

Martin James Foundation,

As part of phase one of the development of the Martin James Foundation's Asia Care Network, comprehensive studies of the care system in each country were conducted to highlight the need for developing alternative care systems across South-East Asia. This case study highlights relevant data from Singapore.

Hong Kong Alternative Care Case Study

Martin James Foundation,

Informal foster care practice in Anambra State, Nigeria and safety concerns

Chinwe Nnama-Okechukwu, Prince Agwu, Uzoma Okoye - Children and Youth Services Review,

This study offers ideas that would guarantee the safety of children within the informal foster care net in Nigeria. The authors investigated informal foster care practice in two local government areas of Anambra State, Nigeria using Key Informant Interviews (KIIs).

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All Children - All Families: LGBTQ Resources for Child Welfare Professionals

Human Rights Campaign,

This page from the Human Rights Campaign provides a list of resources for child welfare professionals working with LGBTQ youth and families.

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Vietnam Alternative Care Case Study

Martin James Foundation,

Relational permanence and the potential for delinquency among African American adolescents in foster care

Abigail Williams-Butler, Jacquelynn F. Duron, Amanda Costantino, Adam Schmidt, Geri Hanten - Children and Youth Services Review,

Relational permanence – a form of social support characterized by the presence of an ongoing caring and supportive person in the context of the foster care system – is the primary type of social relationship that is explored in this article. Regression analyses were conducted examining whether relational permanence predicted later delinquency.

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