Issues in Foster Care
Policy, Practice and Research
Published on 1. December 1999
Book
Paperback/Softback
240 pages
978-1-85302-465-8 (ISBN)
Description
Issues in Foster Care: Policy, Practice and Research assesses the current state of foster care, the pressures which have shaped it and the challenges it faces. Arguing the importance of fostering within a coherent child care policy, the contributors examine the latest research into the delivery and support of foster care, and explore how these can be improved. Topics covered include:
measuring outcomes in foster care and what can be learned from them
the reasons for the growth of foster care at the expense of residential care
supporting young people making the transition from care to adulthood
how children can be helped to develop their natural resilience
the use of solution focused brief therapy to solve foster placement breakdown
managing the behaviour of children in foster care
dealing with abuse and accusations of abuse
kinship or relative care as an alternative form of foster care.
As an analysis of what is currently happening within foster care, and of how it may develop in the future, Issues in Foster Care will be extremely valuable for all those involved in foster care, child care and policy-making.
measuring outcomes in foster care and what can be learned from them
the reasons for the growth of foster care at the expense of residential care
supporting young people making the transition from care to adulthood
how children can be helped to develop their natural resilience
the use of solution focused brief therapy to solve foster placement breakdown
managing the behaviour of children in foster care
dealing with abuse and accusations of abuse
kinship or relative care as an alternative form of foster care.
As an analysis of what is currently happening within foster care, and of how it may develop in the future, Issues in Foster Care will be extremely valuable for all those involved in foster care, child care and policy-making.
Reviews / Votes
In spite of the predominance of foster care in the looked after system, there has been only a limited amount of recent research in this area and few dedicated publications. This volume is therefore to be welcomed. Edited by two experienced child-care academics who are in close touch with practice, the approach is generally accessible and the chapters cover a good range of issues... This is an important and useful contribution to the foster care literature and will be consulted by students, practitioners and academics alike. -- Child Abuse Review It is good to read a book that is about current practice issues that presents very complex situations in a clear, but not simplistic, manner. The book should be in every children and families team bookshelf and required reading for those working with all the partners in a fostering situation. -- Rostrum The eclectic flavour of the book ensures that there will be something of interest to foster carers, child care workers and policy makers as well as students and academics. ... This book is a useful reminder for those working in the field of many of the issues in foster care. It is also a sound background book for students or academics new to this area of work. -- Children and Society [It] make[s] valuable contributions to the debates surrounding fostering policy and practice as well as to the evidence base of foster care. ... Personally my favourite contribution was the chapter by Gilligan on promoting resilience in children in foster care. I found this chapter theoretically and practically particularly valuable. It was moving in its focus on maximising the potential for survival in children by the building on protective factors. The chapter will be of benefit for carers as well as practitioners and is written in a humane and accessible fashion. -- British Journal of Social WorkMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (UK-trade)
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
318 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-85302-465-8 (9781853024658)
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Schweitzer Classification
Persons
John Pinkerton is an established academic known for his research and writing in the area of family support. His work is heavily influenced by an international perspective. For the last 15 years he has been an international advisor to the Children's Institute, University of Cape Town. In preparation for legislative change in the 1990s he led a research team from Queen's University Belfast in producing a base line study of family support in Northern Ireland. He has advised government on family support in both the North and South of Ireland. His teaching covers both qualifying and post qualifying training in social work. He is Co-Editor of the British Journal of Social Work, leading on its family and child care content. Robbie Gilligan is Professor of Social Work and Social Policy at Trinity College Dublin and associate director of the Children's Research Centre. He has written extensively on child care and foster care.
Content
Introduction, Greg Kelly and Robbie Gilligan. 1. The survival of long-term foster care, Greg Kelly. 2. The importance of listening to the child in foster care, Robbie Gilligan. 3. Outcome studies of foster care, Greg Kelly. 4. Leaving care and fostering, John Pinkerton, The Queen's University of Belfast. 5. Promoting resilience in children in foster care, Robbie Gilligan. 6. Pathways to change: The application of solution-focused brief therapy to foster care, Stan Houston, The Queen's University of Belfast. 7. Managing children's behaviour in foster care, Ken Kerr, Learning and Behavioural Consultancy, Portstewart. 8. Safe care, abuse and allegations of abuse in foster care, Stephen Nixon, University of Birmingham. 9. Relative care: A different type of foster care - implications for practice, Valerie O'Brien, University College, Dublin. Index.