What counts in recruiting and retaining good foster carers? Social Support Does!

Abstract

This short paper puts forward the strong contention that social support counts as a critical factor in what makes a good foster carer. To date there has been a lack of research to look at particular facets of social support. As part of the research partnership between James Cook University and the Queensland Department of Families (Mackay/Whitsunday Region) support and the role it plays is being more comprehensively explored. For the purposes of this paper this writer outlines details relating to this research project, what literature tells us about support, why this research and approach is needed and some initial comments and findings from the research.