Resulting from collaboration between leading academics and the national charity the Fostering Network, this book captures the debates on the provision of foster care in the United Kingdom at the beginning of the twenty-first century. This collection of papers offers critical comment on current governmental policy, reports on empirical research, and offers theoretical reflections on practice. The context for the policy and the debates is provided by a narrative that traces the origins of child care from the Elizabethan Poor Law, and asks questions about the provision of care in the future. Key themes covered in the chapters: Politics and policy - the ideological foundations of recent initiatives and the implications for the care of children and young people Service delivery - public and private approaches to provision and the professionalization of foster care Service users - the needs of children and young people and the barriers to their social inclusion on leaving care Diversity, identities and perspectives - kinship care, sexualities and the foster carer's perspective.

Contents

• Introduction Elizabeth Harlow
• Foster care in transition: From waiting in the wings to centre stage Carole Smith
• Children of the State: Reforming the care system. New Labour and corporate parenting Elizabeth Harlow and Nick Frost
• Towards a mixed economy of foster care provision Clive Sellick
• Step forward? Step back? The professionalisation of fostering Derek Kirton
• Fostering matters: A foster carer’s perspective Elizabeth Harlow and Foluke Blackburn
  
• Kinship care: What works? Who cares? Bob Broad
• Lesbian and gay fostering and adoption in the United Kingdom: Prejudice, progress and the challenges of the present Janette Logan and Clive Sellick
• What matters in fostering adolescents? Jo Lipscombe and Elaine Farmer
• Obstacles to participation in education, employment and training for young people leaving care Jo Dixon
• Carers and looked after children: The challenges ahead Carole Smith.