Research Library

This study found children in independent fostering agencies are typically older with more complex needs than those in local authority care, but show similar levels of risk and short-term mental health outcomes.

This study explored foster and kinship carers’ experiences of the Reflective Fostering Programme. Most found it improved relationships and stress management, though some were unsure of its relevance, suggesting a need for better tailoring.

This review found foster care research often underrepresents groups such as kinship and non-White carers and rarely addresses inclusivity, calling for more representative, inclusive research practices.

This paper shares reflections from four researchers in a co-produced foster care study, highlighting the value of safe, inclusive research spaces and offering practical recommendations for future co-production projects.

This study tested a new programme to support the mental health of children in care by training foster carers and teachers to work together. While the approach was acceptable to participants, the trial was not feasible due to low recruitment and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study examines the relationship between levels of dissociation, several pre-placement factors and other background variables to facilitate the understanding of the high prevalence of dissociation in adolescents living in care.

This study assessed attachment representations in 28 Danish foster children (ages 4–10) using the Story Stem Assessment Profile (SSAP). Participants were enrolled in a trial comparing Mentalization-Based Family Therapy (MBT) to Care as Usual (CAU).

This longitudinal study examined parenting stress and its predictors in 51 mothers of early- and late-placed adoptees, from childhood to adolescence.

This mixed-method study examined how being separated or adopted with siblings affects adolescent adoptees’ emotional, behavioural, and conflict regulation outcomes.