Foster Care

The term “foster care” is used in a variety of ways, and, consequently, it often causes confusion and miscommunication. In the industrialized world it is generally used to refer to formal, temporary placements made by the State with families that are trained, monitored and compensated at some level. In many developing countries, however, fostering is kinship care or other placement with a family, the objective(s) of which may include the care of the child, the child’s access to education, and/or the child’s doing some type of work for the foster family.

Displaying 1 - 10 of 2168

Markus N. Sauerwein, Gunther Graßhoff,

This article addresses two issues: whether the inequalities faced by cared for children will persist in different stages of their lives and whether these inequalities are dependent on the specific out-of-home care setting, i.e. residential or foster care. The authors examine data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP), covering a 50-year period.

Carl F. Weems, Janet N. Melby, Carol Behrer, Doug Wolfe, Mikaela D. Scozzafava ,

The purpose of this study was to examine trends in participation and understand the experiences of youth transitioning from foster care who were involved in the Iowa Aftercare Services Program.

Sunggeun (Ethan) Park, Melanie Nadon, Nathanael J. Okpych, Justin S. Harty, Mark Courtney,

Using representative survey data of youth transitioning out of foster care in California, the authors of this study examine the prevalence and predictors of food insecurity. They found that about 30% of study participants were food insecure at ages 19, 21, and 23.

The survey results presented in this report highlight increasing efforts by states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to promote kinship care and support the caregivers of children who are known to the child welfare system. At the same time, the report calls on states to do more to help willing kin caregivers access and benefit from foster care licensing. 

Muhammed Musa Yinusa,

This article delves into the challenges faced by orphans in Nigeria, specifically focusing on their psychological development and overall welfare. The article advocates for a family-centric approach, which includes adoption, community-based upbringing, and initiatives to strengthen existing families.

Darren Maguire, Keziah May, David McCormack, Tim Fosker,

The current review synthesizes the literature regarding the impact of placement instability on behavioural and mental health outcomes in foster care children. Three major databases and grey literature sources were searched for all relevant quantitative research published by July 2019.

Rob Trubey, Rhiannon Evans, Sarah McDonald, Jane Noyes, Mike Robling, Simone Willis, Maria Boffey, Charlotte Wooders, Soo Vinnicombe, G. J. Melendez-Torres,

The purpose of this CHIMES review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions evaluated via randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for improving mental health and wellbeing outcomes for care experienced children and young people.

Udita Iyengar, Jessica Heller-Bhatt,

This perspective piece considers the impact on infant and perinatal health in the context of COVID-19 with particular emphasis on relational dynamics and attachment assessments, using a case study of a foster carer and her child in an out-of-home-care placement. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for safeguarding the well-being of both caregivers and vulnerable children during this challenging time.

Norunn Hornset, Bård Smedsvik,

Norwegian youth in out-of-home care move three times as frequently as their peers. Such placement instability is linked to negative outcomes in terms of social attachment, well-being, educational achievements, health, and future opportunities. Norway implemented a new child welfare service reform in 2022 that increased the municipalities responsibilities for out-of-home care. This study evaluates how the implemented measures affect the number of moves within out-of-home care in Trøndelag county. Norway.

Esben S. B. Olesen, Lea Louise Videt ,

This article explores how the monitoring of foster homes in Norway is experienced by children and youths who have been exposed to what they consider abusive behaviour by foster parents. Using a thematic narrative theoretical framework, the article shows that a common narrative in the youths’ accounts is a story of mistrust towards social workers and monitoring officers, which relates to a general mistrust towards the child welfare service.