A qualitative study was carried out to explore foster carers’ perceptions of respite care and their perceptions of the psychosocial effects of this service for the children in their care. In order to achieve this aim an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis approach was utilised for data collection and analysis. This yielded six themes: carers’ perceptions being influenced by variants of the respite care environment, respite care being beneficial and necessary, concerns about agency provision of respite, factors carers attribute as contributing to its psychosocial effects on foster children, the observed psychosocial effects on foster children, and ways respite care could be improved. An additional finding was also reported, as foster carers’ views of fostering and their foster children appeared to be a modifying variable influencing carers’ perceptions of respite care. These findings illustrated that there are differential effects of respite for carers compared with foster children in some cases, resulting in a tension between meeting carers’ needs and the needs of the children in their care. Comparisons and corroboration of findings from existing literature is included in the discussion as well as the implications of these findings and future research directions.

Background: Children who enter foster care usually do so because of maltreatment by their birth families. Early adversity such as this is associated with many negative outcomes, including disturbances of attachment and mental health in childhood and throughout the lifespan. Young children (under 5) are particularly at risk due to maltreatment rates being highest in this age range, and because of the vital brain development that occurs during this time. Improving the quality of existing relationships for young children is the most cost effective way to improve mental health outcomes. It is important that research investigates which relational and psychological variables that exist within the foster carer-child relationship may be protective against developing negative mental health outcomes, so as to inform carer training and future interventions for this vulnerable group. Aims: The aims of this research project were twofold. The first aim was to systematically review the existing literature on links between foster carer psychological variables (such as commitment to their foster child), and/or child psychological variables (such as their attachment style), and the mental health outcomes of children in foster care. The second aim was to investigate whether foster carer acceptance, commitment, awareness of influence and reflective functioning (RF) predict the mental health outcomes of Scottish preschool aged children who are looked after in foster care. Method: A systematic review of the existing literature was undertaken to address the first aim. The search strategy resulted in 12 quantitative studies that investigated links between child or carer psychological variables and child mental health outcomes. An empirical study of 179 pre-school aged children in foster care in Scotland was carried out to address the second aim. Participants were taking part in a wider RCT of a novel intervention to improve outcomes and permanency decisions for children in foster care. Foster carer acceptance, commitment, and awareness of influence was assessed using the This Is My Baby Interview, and scores of RF were coded from the transcripts of this interview using a computer-based algorithm. Child mental health information was gathered using the Infant Toddler Social Emotional Assessment. Data was gathered at 2 time points; baseline assessments occurred around 4 weeks after entry to care, and follow-up assessments were carried out a year later. Results: The systematic review found good evidence that foster child attachment security is linked to more positive mental health outcomes. It also found some evidence suggesting that foster carer psychological variables such as commitment and quality of caregiving also relate to child mental health outcomes, but this research is in its infancy and it is therefore difficult to draw firm conclusions around this. The results of the empirical study showed that carer commitment and awareness of influence predict child competence at baseline, and RF predicts internalising and externalising problems at follow up. No predictive relationships were found between carer variables and child mental health over time. Conclusion: The results from both studies suggest that carer psychological variables such as commitment to their foster child may relate to child mental health development. These results have implications in terms of foster carer training, and for intervention development for this vulnerable population. This research is however in its infancy, and the results suggest a complex picture with regard to carer psychological variables and child mental health. Large-scale high quality longitudinal research is needed to provide a clear understanding of these relationships.

Previous research has indicated the unique contribution that the interaction between looked after children and their foster carers might have on young people’s behaviour, emotional well-being and subsequent placement stability. Furthermore, there may be differences in the way in which young people and their foster carers view a typical family. Despite this, there is a noticeable absence of studies which have specifically explored the foster carer-child relationship, particularly in terms of how their individual perspectives might be negotiated within their interpersonal relationship. The current study therefore aimed to address this gap. Three foster carer-child dyads were recruited from a local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, with young people aged between 8 and 16 years. A Personal Construct Psychology (PCP) approach was adopted. Participants each completed an individual interview, facilitated by Perceiver Element Grids (PEGs; Procter, 2002) in which interpersonal construing was explored. Looked after children and their foster carers were then interviewed together to share and discuss their completed PEGs. Interview transcripts were analysed using Thematic Analysis and PCP concepts were used to analyse the interactional processes between young people and their carers. The study highlighted a shared sense of fragmentation across participants’ accounts, with both looked after children and their carers reporting a sense of inauthenticity in the way they negotiated their interpersonal relationships. Differences in the way in which ‘family’ was perceived was also highlighted, with young people expressing a sense of ambivalence regarding their desire to be integrated into their foster family, whilst also retaining a connection to their birth family. These themes were supported in their interactions and co-constructional processes. The findings are discussed in relation to the relevant literature and clinical implications. Methodological limitations and directions for future research are also presented.

The academic underachievement of looked after children is well known. By involving foster carers in a Paired Reading intervention a Swedish project tried to address this issue, replicating a successful British trial. The aim of my thesis was to study the variations in the foster carers’ experiences of this literacy intervention. Reading reports from 100 children were collected and qualitative interviews with 15 foster parents were analyzed using concepts from motivational psychology. The results revealed that although some had reported difficulties a majority of the participants had implemented the program in an acceptable way. Many carers had noticed improvements in the child’s reading ability and some reported improved relations, but in a few cases rigidly following the method had led to conflicts. The interviews showed that the completion of the literacy training was conditioned on the children’s pleasure/joy in reading which in turn may require adjustments in the day-to-day delivery of the intervention. Also carers had to see a purpose with Paired Reading in order to be able to arouse enthusiasm in the child. The results suggest that it is possible to engage foster parents in the improvement of foster children’s literacy skills.

This research examined the impact on parents and carers of having a child placed at a residential special school for abused, neglected and traumatised primary aged children. The school is developing its work with families and carers, because if relationships at home are improved, children are more likely to benefit from the placement at Stowbury. Although it is the child who is referred, establishing a good working relationship with parents and carers is vital in helping them with their child’s return home. The study focused on parental experiences of the child’s first year at the school, using interviews at the start of placement and then twelve months later. The data were analysed using a comparative thematic analysis at two time points and a secondary narrative analysis. Researcher reflexivity is used and where appropriate the findings are discussed from a psychoanalytic perspective. The analysis found that during the first year the children make positive changes. Birth parents were helped with their parenting, particularly the (re)establishment of parental boundaries. In contrast, some foster carers found it difficult to share the parenting role, and tensions between home and school were identified. Some parents and carers found it difficult to reflect on their role and relationship with their child. In general, parents and carers expected their child to be able to go to mainstream school when they left Stowbury, and after one year some realised that was unlikely. The study concludes that the experience of foster carers could be improved if they were helped to increase their ability to reflect on their parenting role. In addition, sharing the parenting of this group of children can cause tension between parents, carers and staff. There are training implications for the professionals involved. This research makes an original contribution to knowledge about the psychodynamics that develop in the relationships between the parents, carers and staff looking after abused children in a residential school.

The diploma thesis deals with foster care in the Czech Republic as well as it represents its legislation. The thesis follows up psychosocial aspects that are closely connected with foster care. It describes aspects such as psychosocial parenthood and motivation, which encourages foster parents to provide foster care. Also, it represents system of values and motives, that are very significant when considering foster care. The thesis investigates the needs of foster parents as well as it describes the needs, that are considered significant and whether those needs meet their expectations. Plenty of valuable information, which are related to the topic of foster parenting, were provided by foster parents, who gave their personal reflection, that was verified by brief research probe. The discussion stated in the end of the thesis summarizes the motives, which are frequently mentioned in the topic, including their possible difficulties as well as the thought about the reserves of current support given by the state and by accompanying organizations while satisfying the needs of foster parents.

The diploma thesis is concerned with the long-term foster care; particularly with the experience of foster carer's own children. It provides knowledge of the alternative care system in the Czech Republic and the particularities of foster families. It describes how own children of foster carers experience the period of time before their foster sibling's arrival, what are their feelings and reactions after the arrival, how their positions in the family change, how their relationships are formed and how they perceive their parent's decision retrospectively. The theoretical part is followed by empirical part which is composed of quantitative and qualitative research. The results of quantitative research introduce the experience of biological children and create a basic idea of the situations in foster families. The conclusions of the qualitative research are then an addition of the quantitative part and help to a better imagination of the life in foster families. This thesis should contribute to foster care applicants, their children and specialists who work with foster families. Key words alternative family care, foster care, foster family, biological child, foster children, foster carers training, siblings

in English language This thesis focuses on foster care for a transitional period. The aim of the thesis is to describe the role of foster carers for a transitional period, OSPOD workers and foster family guides in period between the process of taking a foster child for a transitional period and re-transferring to a biological family or one of the long-term types of foster care. The thesis describes foster care for a transitional period and individual roles according to available literature, legislation, methodology and interviews with actors themselves. The partial goal is to find out how participants perceive each other, what they expect, what competencies they should have. Another partial aim of this work is methodological recommendation.

In the wake of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, welfare organisations in Vryheid situated in northern KwaZulu-Natal have noted dramatic increases in requests for foster care placements for orphaned children. In many instances, orphans have lived by private arrangement with extended families for several years. However, families are increasingly overwhelmed with the burden of overextending scarce resources, forcing them to seek welfare assistance. Community-based responses to the crisis are regarded as top priority. This study examines literature regarding child care alternatives for orphans, focussing on foster care as the primary option. A study was conducted which explored community perceptions towards the local orphan crisis and foster care in particular. Findings revealed that although the adage 'Blood is thicker than water' still applies, foster care cannot stand alone. Alternate forms of care-giving need to be found to avoid plunging orphan care into further crisis. / Social work / M.A.(Social Science (Mental Health))

In the wake of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, welfare organisations in Vryheid situated in northern KwaZulu-Natal have noted dramatic increases in requests for foster care placements for orphaned children. In many instances, orphans have lived by private arrangement with extended families for several years. However, families are increasingly overwhelmed with the burden of overextending scarce resources, forcing them to seek welfare assistance. Community-based responses to the crisis are regarded as top priority. This study examines literature regarding child care alternatives for orphans, focussing on foster care as the primary option. A study was conducted which explored community perceptions towards the local orphan crisis and foster care in particular. Findings revealed that although the adage 'Blood is thicker than water' still applies, foster care cannot stand alone. Alternate forms of care-giving need to be found to avoid plunging orphan care into further crisis. / Social work / M.A.(Social Science (Mental Health))