A little piece of my heart goes with each of them’
Foster carer reflections on current fostering practice
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 11941978 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Carolyn Blackburn (0000-0001-5159-7933, Birmingham City University, corresponding author), Elaine Matchett (0000-0001-8811-3621, Coventry University) |
| Year | 2022 |
| Volume | 46 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 383-396 |
| Publication date | 2022-11-30 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Adoption & Fostering (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0308-5759 • E-ISSN: 1740-469X |
| Publisher | SAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/03085759221135203 |
| OpenAlex | W4311390317 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 15 |
In the UK, fostering is the principal way of looking after children in care. Foster carers have been reported to be motivated to undertake this task by an intrinsic desire to nurture and improve the lives of young people. However, the work faces numerous challenges, especially with regard to relationships with other professionals involved in children’s lives and a lack of support for young people with complex needs. Allegations made against carers also increase the potential for carer stress and an exit from fostering. This article reports the findings from an online survey of 422 foster carers in England, complemented by eight in-depth interviews. Although this research was undertaken during the global Covid-19 pandemic when schools and other social settings were closed for prolonged periods, which had some effect on participants’ responses, the issues raised were enduring rather than ephemeral. The findings highlight the two key themes of ‘transformative professional relationships’ and ‘translations of professional love’. Recommendations for professional training across disciplines are suggested
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Nature versus nurture · Pandemic · Pedagogy · Political science · Principal (computer security · Public relations · Sociology · Transformative learning · Work (physics · Child Abuse and Trauma · Child Welfare and Adoption · Family Support in Illness · Medicine · Psychology · Social Work
Who is caring for our most vulnerable children?
Predictors of foster parents’ satisfaction and intent to continue to foster
Placement disruption and negative placement outcomes among adolescents in long-term foster care
Professional foster carer and committed parent
What makes foster carers think about quitting? Recommendations for improved retention of foster carers
Foster carer perceptions of support and training in the context of high burden of care
No typical care story
The role of a national fostering helpline in the recruitment and retention of foster carers
High stress experienced in the foster and kin carer role
| Citations per year | 1.5 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2024 - 2026 (3) |
| Highly cited | No |