foster carers

This article explores the impact of abandonment abuse and neglect, not only on children but, centrally, on the foster carers, adopters and kinship carers who parent children where it has been deemed that a return home to birth parents is not in their interests. (For purposes of simplicity we will refer to these carers as ‘parenting figures’.) In doing this we aim to provide parenting figures with support and understanding as well as reducing the feelings of isolation that is often integral to parenting ‘looked after’ children.

Produced by IRISS for Community Care magazine, this research review examines the evidence on allegations of maltreatment of children in foster care and local authority responses to allegations, as published in the report Maltreatment and allegations of maltreatment in foster care. A review of the evidence, published by the Social Policy Research Unit, University of York.

It brings together the evidence that exists on allegations of abuse and confirmed maltreatment in foster care, and considers the implications of the available evidence.

Final report of Scotland's Foster Care Review, which ran from December 2012 to November 2013. The review was established by the Scottish Government to assess a range of potential reforms, and provide direction on a number of policy questions.

Guidance on responding to allegations against foster or kinship carers that reflects the National Guidance and covers situations where the concerns relate to situations where significant harm means that a child protection response is required, as well as situations where the concerns are about the general well being of the child but where no significant harm has been identified.

Report into an inquiry to examine the processes involved in deciding whether or not to remove a child from the family home and to consider whether these are consistent across the country.

Literature review that aims to identify the existing evidence in relation to children and young people’s views of the processes, and to identify any gaps. At the time of publication, the Government has released the Adoption Action Plan (DfE, 2012) with measures designed to reduce delays in the adoption process.

The views and experiences of children already in the care system will be vital in helping to ensure that changes to current systems meet their individual needs and improve their life chances.

Study that evaluated the effectiveness of Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care for Adolescents (MTFCA), an innovative, evidence-based form of fostering for looked after children (age 11-16 years) with complex needs.

MTFC-A was implemented by 18 English local authorities, using pump-priming money from the former Department for Children, Schools and Families and supported by an implementation team at the Institute of Psychiatry.

Report that puts forward recommendations for how the foster care system should be reformed. It argues that people must be realistic but ambitious about what the care system can offer.

While it is extremely difficult to exactly replicate the support and care that a loving family brings, research published in May 2011 revealed the significant benefits that can flow from stable long-term foster placements.

Workbook to be used in conjunction with the Training, Support and Development Standards: guidance. It provides a single place to capture evidence against the standards.