Fostering generally involves the temporary removal of children from their birth families to live with foster carers until their families are ready to have them back it they are capable of doing so, or the children move on to more permanent arrangements. The children entering the care system are usually problematic. Many of them can display behavioural and emotional problems, some have offended, others have disabilities or have been seriously abused.


The main expectations currently placed on foster carers are:-

(1)Provide nurturing and care, through the experience of family life and dependable relationships, to children whose families are temporarily unable to do so.

(2) Recognise that children separated from their families can be in distress. Besides general high quality care, the children require help to cope with the experience of separation, loss, possible feelings of rejection and guilt. Foster carers collaborate with Social Services for the achievements of these ends.

(3) Recognise the temporary nature of foster care as 'substitute' care, while a more permanent home is developed for the child, preferably re-unification with the family or a permanent foster home.

(4)Include the family of origin in their dealings and talks with the child and encourage parental visits in order to help, among other things, sustain the child's identity and self-esteem-

(6) Collaborate with Social Services and the Agency to help prepare the child to return home, adoption or to independent living.