This study provides invaluable information on the benefits and challenges of kinship care and what is to be done to enable it to be used effectively. The study tracked 113 children in England, removed from their parents’ care because of child protection concerns and placed with kin through the courts. The placements were then assessed in terms of: whether they lasted as long as necessary and provided good quality and safe care; the quality of the relationship between the child and carer; and how well the child was functioning.

This is a particularly timely study, given the increased use of kinship care and the current prominence of this form of placement for looked after children. Current emphasis on how best to structure policy and practice in this area also means that this book will be of great use to those involved in this field.

Who is this book for?

This study is essential reading for all those concerned with placement decisions within local authorities and the courts, as well as policy makers in local and central government. It will also be of interest to academics with an interest in child welfare, and organisations working wit, or representing, children needing substitute care, their parents, and their carers.

What you will find in this book

This study explores:

• Details of the long-term foster placements studied
• Behaviour patterns and relationship building in the placements
• Social work practice in this area
• Birth family perspectives on long-term placements
• The place of contact
• The challenges of long-term foster placements

Joan Hunt:
Joan Hunt is Senior Research Fellow in Oxford University’s Centre for Family Law and Policy, part of the Department of Social Policy and Social Work. She has conducted many research studies on children and families subject to court proceedings and published widely in this field.

Suzette Waterhouse:
Suzette Waterhouse is a freelance social work practitioner and researcher. Her professional practice includes court-based assessment work and assessment/support work.

Eleanor Lutman:
Eleanor Lutman was a research assistant at the Centre for Family Law and Policy, Department of Social Policy and Social Work, University of Oxford, for the duration of this research study. She currently works as a research associate at the University of Bristol.