Issues in Foster Care: Policy, Practice and Research

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.

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.