Books, booklets & multimedia

The Plan for the Child: Adoption or long-term fostering

	Price: £9.95	BAAF 2002 ISBN 978-1-903699-07-2

What factors determine the local authority decision to pursue either adoption or long-term fostering for those looked after children who cannot return to their birth family? And what measures have local authorities introduced to identify and combat detrimental delay?

At a time of unprecedented interest in adoption and the Government’s intention to maximise adoption for looked after children, this unique research evaluates practice in six representatively selected local authorities. This study was commissioned by the Department of Health to inform the Government’s Quality Protects initiative and conducted by a multi-disciplinary team under the direction of Professors Nigel Lowe and Mervyn Murch of Cardiff Law School. Important observations are made about a spectrum of issues including the right placement choice for the child; variations in policy and practice; record keeping; staffing and resources.

The authors also address issues that have critical implications for policy and practice. Should there be a national coordination of child placement policy? What can be done at central government level and what is more appropriately delegated to local government? What should inform decision-making in determining placement choice and how should this be properly supported and resourced? Recent measures by the Government will go some way towards addressing some of these issues, but will they be far reaching enough?

This important study contains some clear messages for central and local government and should be read by all those concerned with making the best placements for children in need.