The Lives of Foster Carers

There are approximately 32, 000 foster families in the UK and while there is substantial social research about fostered children, little is known about the adults who look after them, their motives, experiences and successes. During the past twenty years foster 'parents' have become foster 'carers' reflecting the local authorities' intention to professionalize the service, yet many foster carers fulfil a parental role. "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. The 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; and, 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.