Foster carer support: what it is, what it is not and what it could be!!

Abstract

Research over a span of 20 years has clearly identified what support foster carers want. Research has also identified that foster carers' still feel there is a lack of needed support. This paper gives a short outline of what support is and what it is not. The paper then discusses what it could be in terms of a broader role and use of skills for foster carers in relation to family support and prevention/early intervention responses. Despite the excellent research to date, support for foster carers has been researched in the context of the child protection out-of-home care system as it is. This paper contends that if foster carers are to be recruited and retained then their 'lob' must change and offer more opportunity to truly be child focussed and making a difference not just when children enter the statutory system but before!! A broadening role in relation to family support would mean that aspects impacting on vulnerable families such as poverty, homelessness and depression could be responded to in practical ways.