The Lives Of Foster Carers

The Lives of Foster Carers analyzes the contradictions, conflicts, and ambiguities experienced by foster carers arising from the inter-penetrations of public bureaucracy and private family life. Topics covered include: social policy pertinent to childcare the history of foster care service available literature on the experience of foster carers public versus private domains in foster care motivations and roles of foster carers how foster carers perceive themselves and their foster children. Based on a wide range of literature and in-depth interviews with forty-six foster carers, this book provides a valuable insight into the concerns, processes and experiences of foster carers in the UK. Jargon free and accessible, it will appeal to foster carers, practitioners, students and academics in social care, youth work and childcare as well as policy makers in children’s services.

For children growing up in foster care, the role of their birth parents is an important factor in the success of their long-term placements. Understanding the experiences of parents is therefore essential in order to develop effective social work practice with parents that can also ensure the best possible outcomes for children. Drawing on detailed and often moving interviews with parents, the book takes a chronological approach, starting with their accounts of family life before their children were taken into care, in particular the impact of drugs, alcohol and domestic violence. It goes on to explore their experiences of court and then how they seek to come to terms with their loss, sustain an identity as a parent and manage a relationship with their children through contact. Parents' views on what they find valuable and helpful in relationships with foster carers and social workers are also discussed. The book then draws on the views of social workers on the opportunities and challenges of supporting parents, while also remaining child-focussed. The authors set out a model of good practice, based on the lessons learnt from the experiences of these parents and social workers. This book will be essential reading for all child and family social workers, fostering social workers, independent reviewing officers, academics and foster carers.

Andy Pithouse and Alyson Rees use original research to identify key ingredients needed to help create successful foster placements and help prevent placement breakdown. In this study the lives and activities of 10 foster families who provide lasting and effective care are examined. The families' everyday world of meanings, negotiations, activities, settings, rituals and relationships that help to create these successful placements, are explored. The authors identify the main components that, according to the carers and the children, contribute to acceptance, belonging and stability in the family. The book examines the emotional and practical work involved in caring, and explores how it is received and reciprocated by fostered young people. With important insights into child and carer perspectives on fostering, What Works in Foster Care is a source of invaluable information for foster carers, children's service professionals, and trainees and care staff more generally who may be engaged with children who are looked after.

Foster carers, also called foster parents, invest invaluable time and energy in providing a safe home environment for foster children. Fostering is frothed with challenges of various kinds. Yet, generally, foster carers affirm that fostering is a most rewarding work. ?Putting You in the Picture?: Foster Carers Speak, is a small-scale research project that provides readers with insight into the foster-care experience, as seen from selected foster carers? perspectives. It highlights inspiring experiences of how foster carers are able to make positive, life-changing differences to foster children's lives. The book also reports on participant foster carers? views on the ?Staying Put? initiative and makes practical suggestions to social workers and Local Authority (LA) officials. These two groups, as well as teachers, head teachers, foster-care professionals and concerned citizens will find this book quite informative. It is clear from all the ?research conversations? undertaken, that fostering is a demanding work of selflessness and love.

A heartbreaking and inspiring collection of true fostering stories perfect for fans of Cathy Glass and Rosie Lewis. Contains previously published stories Too Scared To Cry, The Girl No One Wanted and A Family For Christmas - brought together in this heartwarming and inspiring collection for the first time. ***** Maggie Hartley is one of the UK's most prolific foster mothers. This inspiring collection includes three heartbreaking, true short stories about the children who have passed through Maggie's care. TOO SCARED TO CRY When Ben and Damien arrive on Maggie's doorstep, the two toddlers are too scared to speak. More disturbingly still, their baby half-brother Noah is completely unresponsive - he doesn't smile or play or crawl. The three siblings have been conditioned to be seen and not heard, and it's up to Maggie to unpick what has caused this terrible void. THE GIRL NO ONE WANTED Eleven-year-old Leanne is out of control. With over forty placements in her short life, no local foster carers are willing to take in this angry and damaged little girl. Maggie is Leanne's only hope, and her last chance. If this placement fails, Leanne will be put in a secure unit. Where most others would simply walk away, Maggie refuses to give up on the little girl who's never known love. A FAMILY FOR CHRISTMAS A tragic accident leaves the life of toddler Edward changed forever and his family wracked with guilt. Maggie must help this family grieve for the son they've lost and learn to love the little boy he is now. But will Edward have a family to go home to at Christmas? These heartwarming and inspiring short stories show the power of a foster mother's love, and her determination to help the children who come into her care. Note: These stories have previously been published as individual ebooks. True stories of foster care and adoption and one foster mother's attempts to help the children in her care heal from abuse, neglect and trauma.

The Girl With Two Lives can either be read as a full-length eBook or in 3 serialized eBook-only parts. This is part 1 of 3. Author Angela Hart is an experienced foster carer; The Girl With Two Lives is the moving story of her experience fostering one little girl with a heavy burden to carry. Twelve year old Danielle has been excluded from a special school and her former foster family can no longer cope. She arrives as an emergency placement at the home of foster carer Angela, who soon suspects that there is more to the young girl's disruptive behaviour than meets the eye. Can Angela's specialist training unlock the horrors of Danielle's past and help her start a brave new life? The Girl With Two Lives is the fourth book from well loved foster carer and Sunday Times bestselling author Angela Hart. Another true story from the experienced and bestselling foster carer – sharing the tale of one of the many children she has fostered over the years. A story of the difference that quiet care, a watchful eye and sympathetic ear can make to those children whose upbringing has been less fortunate than others.

As a social worker and foster carer, I am inspired sometimes and frustrated often. In this book Adrian skilfully challenges statutory and voluntary complexities asking us to consider a simple question "does this work for this child?" For those that have considered fostering or have fostered, for those that have dedicated themselves to improving outcomes for vulnerable children....... there is no quick fix or even a 'right way' but just wonky wheels that need reinventing. Here Adrian skilfully challenges statutory and voluntary complexities but through it all inspires all of us to question "are we listening to the child & each other and is this working?" Blair Mortimer Bsc Social Work. Statuary social worker. Adrian is a believer in God and in people. His real-life stories from fostering are told in a raw and honest way. At a time when more foster homes are needed than ever before there are surely many who will be inspired by his humour and vulnerability to dare to start the journey into fostering for themselves. Both joys and challenges will lie ahead but Adrian has shown that there are many who will one day look back at their lives and thank God for precious memories of the little things you did, and said, and quite simply the fact that you were there - for them. Stuart Lindsell BA Theology. Social Pedagogue Trainer for Foster Care.