Foster Carers
Why They Stay and Why They Leave
Ian Sinclair, Ian Gibbs and Kate Wilson
Part of the Supporting Parents series
Paperback: £21.99 / $36.95
2004, 234mm x 156mm / 9.25in x 6in, 192pp
ISBN: 978-1-84310-172-7, BIC 2: JKSB1
JHBK
Foster carers look after two-thirds of the children cared for by English local authorities at any one time. The recruitment and retention of these carers is one of these authorities' central concerns. Against this background, Foster Carers examines the joys, sadnesses and strains of fostering, the support carers want and need, and the reasons why they continue or cease fostering.
Drawing on questionnaire responses from a thousand foster carers across seven different local authorities, the authors highlight the importance of providing support that:
* is adapted to the carers' families
* contains the basic elements of reasonable payment, relevant training and reliable social work support
* responds sensitively to serious crises and treats carers as part of a team
* meets the specific needs of carers such as carers' groups and relief breaks.
Foster Carers forms one part of the largest recent study into foster care in the UK. It is an invaluable resource for policy makers and practitioners, as well as local authorities formulating policies for the support and training needed by foster carers, and is essential reading for social work professionals, academics and foster carers themselves.
By the same authors
Foster Children
Where They Go and How They Get On
Ian Sinclair, Claire Baker, Kate Wilson and Ian Gibbs
Costs and Outcomes in Children's Social Care
Messages from Research
Jennifer Beecham and Ian Sinclair
Managing Children's Homes
Developing Effective Leadership in Small Organisations
Leslie Hicks, Ian Gibbs, Helen Weatherly and Sarah Byford
The Pursuit of Permanence
A Study of the English Child Care System
Ian Sinclair, Claire Baker, Jenny Lee and Ian Gibbs
Caring for Abused and Neglected Children
Making the Right Decisions for Reunification or Long-Term Care
Jim Wade, Nina Biehal, Nicola Farrelly and Ian Sinclair
Author information
Subject areas
Keywords
People who bought this, also bought
Foster Placements: Why They Succeed and Why They Fail
Ian Sinclair, Kate Wilson and Ian Gibbs
Fostering Now: Messages from Research
Ian Sinclair
Foster Children: Where They Go and How They Get On
Ian Sinclair, Claire Baker, Kate Wilson and Ian Gibbs
The Pursuit of Permanence: A Study of the English Child Care System
Ian Sinclair, Claire Baker, Jenny Lee and Ian Gibbs
