BAAF, November 2000 (reprinted 2004)
ISBN 978-1-873868-93-5
Its intensive findings are rich in detail and show detailed insight into social work as well as sensitivity to its dilemmas. It is an important publication relevant to all interested in the practice and study of child welfare. David Berridge, Professor of Child and Family Welfare, University of Luton (from the foreword)
Long-term foster care is one of the best kept secrets of the child care system. It is rarely mentioned as a positive option yet there is a significant group of vulnerable children for whom growing up in a long-term foster family is their best chance of a secure family life. But children in this situation are almost invisible; unrecognised by legislation, guidance or, in many agencies, procedures or practice.
This new research study looks at a group of 58 children under the age of 12 recently placed in long-term foster families in eight local authorities. It provides a fascinating insight into their lives, their birth families, their foster families and the system of social work practice and planning that will determine their future.
Because relationship building is at the heart of family placement, the authors make use of attachment theory to understand the impact of abuse, neglect and separation on children's behaviour and relationships. They introduce the concepts of "open book" and "closed book" children, "children on the edge" and "rewarding children", and show how children in middle childhood are building relationships with the foster carers with whom they are expected to remain throughout their childhood.
Contents include:
Setting the scene: an introduction to the research
Background to the long-term placements - what did the children bring?;
making the placements;
the foster carers; the birth families' accounts of events leading up to the separation;
Behaviour patterns and relationship building in the long-term placements
The long-term placements: social work practice, birth family perspectives and contact
Different meanings, shared concerns: the challenges of growing up in foster care.
Accessibly written, this book is essential reading for all social workers, managers, guardians ad litem and other professionals who are concerned for the welfare and happiness of children in long-term care.
