Towards new models of professional foster care

Authors

Frank Ainsworth, Edith Cowan University
Anthony Maluccio

Document Type

Journal Article

Publisher

British Association of Adoption and Fostering

Faculty

Faculty of Community Services, Education and Social Sciences

School

School of International, Cultural and Community Studies

RAS ID

2257

Comments

Ainsworth, F., & Maluccio, A. (2003). Towards new models of professional foster care. Adoption & Fostering, 27(4), 46-50. Available here

Abstract

Foster care for children and young people is in crisis in Australia, the United Kingdom and the USA, as elsewhere. For this reason, the proposal by Barbara Hutchinson and her associates (see Adoption & Fostering 27:3, 2003) is timely and noteworthy. In line with their argument regarding professionalisation of foster care services, Frank Ainsworth and Anthony Maluccio recommend that new models of foster care also need to be considered. Two models are suggested for further review: (1) Family for Family, which involves the recruitment of a foster family for a birth family; and (2) Circle of Friends, which is designed for children and young people whose behaviours exhaust traditional foster carers. If developed further, these models, like those of Walker et al (2002) and Chamberlain (2003), would add to the diversity of foster care services and make for a greater range of possible placements.

DOI

10.1177/030857590302700407