The chapters in this Research Note are grouped in three sections. The first section (chapters 2–5) presents the international experiences. The second (chapters 6–7) presents the Russian background, whereas the third section (chapter 8–9) offers an updated presentation of Russian realities as to the placement of orphans.

This report presents the survey Kevin Browne and colleagues conducted in 33 European countries to identify the number and characteristics of children less than three placed in residential care without their parents for more than three months during the year ending December 31, 2003. The purpose was to assess the rate and cost of residential care as a response to children in adversity.

A child friendly assessment form for children/young people who are caregivers. The assessment helps them to identify what support services they may need.

A set of standards for boarding and residential schools. It outlines what young people can expect when they receive school care accommodation services from a registered/regulated provider.

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.

A set of standards for early education and childcare services for children and young people up to the age of 16 years operating in the public, private and voluntary sectors, and in domestic or non-domestic premises.

A set of standards for residential settings, including the young person’s welcome into care, the quality of care they should receive, contact arrangements, and listening and responding to the views of young people.

A set of standards guiding services for children who have been adopted, birth families, and adoptive parents.

Serves as an example of fostering service standards from the perspective of children, birth families, and foster caregivers

This report assesses the expenditure which is required to transform foster care services across the UK, in order to give children in public care the same opportunities to have a successful future as other children. Contains relevant statistics and social welfare system reform recommendations.