Maltreatment and Allegations of Maltreatment in Foster Care: A review of the evidence

TY - BOOK

T1 - Maltreatment and Allegations of Maltreatment in Foster Care: A review of the evidence

AU - Biehal, N

AU - Parry, E

PY - 2010

Y1 - 2010

N2 - The abuse of looked after children has been a matter of public concern for over 30 years. However, although there has been considerable attention to maltreatment in residential settings, less is known about maltreatment, including both abuse and neglect, in foster care.Allegations of maltreatment in foster care are profoundly upsetting for the foster carers concerned and often lead to the removal of children from their care. Unfounded allegations therefore create immense stress for both carers and children. They also have serious consequences for services, as they may lead some carers to give up fostering, thus reducing the already limited supply of foster carers.In cases where such allegations are substantiated, the implications are even more serious. This review of the research was undertaken in partnership with The Fostering Network and funded by the Nuffield Foundation. It discusses the available evidence on:* allegations of abuse and neglect by foster carers and* confirmed maltreatment in foster care.

AB - The abuse of looked after children has been a matter of public concern for over 30 years. However, although there has been considerable attention to maltreatment in residential settings, less is known about maltreatment, including both abuse and neglect, in foster care.Allegations of maltreatment in foster care are profoundly upsetting for the foster carers concerned and often lead to the removal of children from their care. Unfounded allegations therefore create immense stress for both carers and children. They also have serious consequences for services, as they may lead some carers to give up fostering, thus reducing the already limited supply of foster carers.In cases where such allegations are substantiated, the implications are even more serious. This review of the research was undertaken in partnership with The Fostering Network and funded by the Nuffield Foundation. It discusses the available evidence on:* allegations of abuse and neglect by foster carers and* confirmed maltreatment in foster care.

KW - looked after children

KW - social work issues

M3 - Commissioned report

SN - 978-1-907265-05-1

BT - Maltreatment and Allegations of Maltreatment in Foster Care: A review of the evidence

PB - Social Policy Research Unit, University of York

CY - University of York, York

ER -