foster care
Despite reduced placements of children in family based and institutional care, the Department of Human Resources has seen increased foster care expenditures rather than substantial savings. The difference between potential savings and actual costs is $35 million. There are no clear reasons for why this happened.
This article looks at the psychological approach to family relationships and argues it is one of the foundations of good practice.
For a variety of reasons, some children and young people can’t live with their parents. When parents aren’t able to look after a child, the local authority has a legal responsibility to do so. It will find somewhere for the young person to live and someone to look after them. When this happens, the child is said to be “in care” or being “looked after”.
Scottish Government guidance to councils and their community planning partners on how to improve outcomes for looked after children and young people and care leavers, through better fulfilling their corporate parent function.
Publication reviewing examples of both innovative and established fostering practice in the UK with a view to encouraging all who work in the field to reflect on their own practice.
Report detailing the results of a survey of privately fostered children to see how well the rules and regulations governing private fostering are working out.
Leaflet on the Scottish Government website for service users about the National care standards for care homes for children and young people.
Information about the Children's Hearings system in Scotland, which takes most of the responsibility for dealing with children and young people under 16, and in some cases under 18, who commit offences or who are in need of care and protection.
Podcast of a talk by Joe Nee, independent consultant psychologist, given at the SIRCC seminar, "Why Attachment Matters", Glasgow Marriott Hotel, 11/09/2009.
This publication is intended for everyone who is concerned with looked after children and young people and their families. This includes: elected members, local authority staff, staff in voluntary organisations, private providers, foster carers, health professionals and those involved in developing and improving children’s services.

