Growing up in foster care eBook only

Long-term foster care is rarely mentioned as a positive option; yet, for a significant group of vulnerable children, growing up in a long-term foster family is their best chance of a secure family life. This research study provides a fascinating insight into the experiences of 58 children, their foster carers, a sample of their birth parents and their social workers.

The authors use attachment theory to explain the impact of abuse, neglect and separation on the children’s behaviour and relationships. Although the detailed case material is often painful and sad, it is also moving and inspiring, showing the many ways in which the children, foster carers, social workers and birth families are coping with the practical and emotional challenges they face.

Who is this book for?

This book is essential reading for all social workers, managers, guardians ad litem and other professionals who are involved with children in long-term foster care.

What you will find in this book

This study explores:

• Details of the long-term foster placements studied
• Behaviour patterns and relationship building in the placements
• Social work practice in this area
• Birth family perspectives on long-term placements
• The place of contact
• The challenges of long-term foster placements

Authors

Gillian Schofield is Head of the School of Social Work and Professor of Child and Family Social Work at the University of East Anglia (UEA). An experienced social worker, she has a special interest in attachment theory and child placement and has researched and published widely in this field.

Mary Beek has had a long and varied career in fostering and adoption practice for Norfolk County Council, and research and publication in the Centre for Research on Children and Families.

Kay Sargent was an experienced social worker before becoming a lecturer in social work at the University of East Anglia. Her research interests include social work practice with birth families, psychiatric services to children and children’s emotional development.

June Thoburn is Dean of the School of Social Work and Psychosocial Studies and Director of the Centre for Research on the Child and Family at the University of East Anglia. She is a qualified social worker who has written and researched in many areas of child welfare.

This book is available as an eBook only. It can be downloaded free by CoramBAAF members from the members’ area of the website or purchased below.

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