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 do Childcare Professionals Agree on When they Propose Non-Kin Foster Care? // ¿Con Qué Están de Acuerdo los Profesionales Para Proponer un Acogimiento en Familia Ajena?

Rosa Sitjes-Figueras, Joan Llosada-Gistau, Carme Montserrat, 30 Dec 2022

The aim of this article is to analyse the factors that intervene in decision-making by childcare professionals regarding non-kin foster care in the north-east of Spain.

Foster Caring as ‘Professional Parenting’: A Grounded Theory of the Relationships Between Parent and Professional in Long-Term Foster Care

Megan Hollett, Alex Hassett, Virginia Lumsden, 13 Dec 2022

This UK-based study aimed to develop an explanatory theory and model of the processes involved in fostering looked after children and the relationship between the roles of parent and professional.

Foster caring as ‘professional parenting’: A grounded theory of the relationships between parent and professional in long-term foster care

Economic Conditions and the Number of Children in Foster Care

Ioana Marinescu, Fei Tan, Johanna K.P. Greeson, 29 Nov 2022

In this U.S.-based study, the authors found that increasing the affordability of fostering a child could increase foster care capacity. They examine the impacts of changing economic conditions on the number of children in foster care.

Addressing the Need for Foster Care in the Context of the Ukraine Crisis

Ukraine Children's Care Group, 15 Nov 2022

This document is a summary of key findings and points of discussion that were highlighted by presenters and participants during the Addressing the need for foster care in the context of the Ukraine crisis learning event that took place on 7 September 2022.

Sibling Separation: Learning from Those with Former Foster Care Experiences

Armeda Stevenson Wojciak, Olivia Tomfohrde, Jessica E Simpson, Jeffrey Waid, 14 Nov 2022

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine sibling relationships and sibling separation amongst adults with prior foster care experience in England.

Transition from Foster Care: A Cross Sectional Comparison of Youth Outcomes Twenty Years Apart

Thom Reilly, David Schlinkert, 12 Nov 2022

In this cross-sectional comparative study, the authors assess the outcomes of emancipated youth in the U.S. after the initiation of an extended after care program and compare the results with the outcomes drawn from a prior study conducted twenty years earlier. Overall, young adults in the 2021 study fared significantly better than their 2001 counterparts.

Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal

Guaranteeing Child Fostering and Parental Rights in Nigeria: Law and Policy Perspectives

Wilson Diriwari, 01 Nov 2022

This article examines the practice of customary child fostering in Nigeria and the state of parental rights in such a situation. The significance of the practice and its impact in mostly Nigerian traditional communities raises the question of its regulation in order to safeguard children's rights as well as parental rights.

Engaging Fathers in Child Welfare and Foster Care Settings: Promoting Paternal Contributions to the Safety, Permanency, and Well-being of Children and Families

Justin S. Harty, Aaron Banman , 01 Nov 2022

This chapter in the book "Engaging Fathers in Child Welfare and Foster Care Settings: Promoting Paternal Contributions to the Safety, Permanency, and Well-being of Children and Families" explores research on father engagement in child welfare services in the U.S., including studies on engagement activities, associations with child welfare outcomes, and barriers to engagement with the aim of assisting social workers and child welfare caseworkers in more fully engaging fathers.

The Concept of Family: Perspectives of Spanish Young People in Foster Care

Judite Ie, 01 Nov 2022

This article employs concepts from family sociology to explore how ‘family’ is conceptualised in 14 life narratives of young people in foster care in Spain.

Transition Case Study: Alliance For Children Everywhere Zambia

Better Care Network, Alliance for Children Everywhere, 06 Oct 2022

Alliance for Children Everywhere (ACE) Zambia is a US-funded organization that transitioned from providing residential care in Zambia to pioneering family-based care, including foster care, and supporting other residential care service providers to transition. With important links to the Zambian government, ACE Zambia has been a key actor in supporting the development of policies, programs and guidelines that are now utilized across the country.