The Pursuit of Permanence

The Pursuit of Permanence

A Study of the English Child Care System

Ian Sinclair, Claire Baker, Jenny Lee and Ian Gibbs

Part of the Quality Matters in Children’s Services series

Paperback: £29.99 / $60.00 add to cart

2007, 234mm x 156mm / 9.25in x 6in, 320pp
ISBN: 978-1-84310-595-4, BIC 2: JKSN JHBK JKSB1

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Children in public care complain that they have too many placements. Professionals agree but little is known about the reasons for this instability or how it affects different groups of children. The Pursuit of Permanence explores this core issue for children's services.

Based on the largest study of the English care system in recent years, the book examines the children (what they need and what they want), their movements into, out of and within the care system, the nature and quality of their placements and the outcomes (whether the children are settled or happy). It analyses the reasons for movements and outcomes in different groups of children, and the relative impacts of the departments, social work teams and placements. It concludes with suggestions about how the care system should work, what it should offer and how it should be managed and inspected.

This detailed, innovative and comprehensive study is essential reading for all professionals and academics involved with fostering, leaving care, adoption and children's services, as well as policy makers and students on social work courses.

By the same author

Cover of Foster Carers

Foster Carers

Why They Stay and Why They Leave

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Foster Placements

Why They Succeed and Why They Fail

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Fostering Now

Messages from Research

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Cover of Foster Children

Foster Children

Where They Go and How They Get On

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Cover of Costs and Outcomes in Children's Social Care

Costs and Outcomes in Children's Social Care

Messages from Research

Jennifer Beecham and Ian Sinclair

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Managing Children's Homes

Developing Effective Leadership in Small Organisations

Leslie Hicks, Ian Gibbs, Helen Weatherly and Sarah Byford