Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-l7hp2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-01T01:08:21.606Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Making foster care possible: A study of 307 foster families in Victoria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 February 2016

Stuart W.B. Evans  and
Leonard J. Tierney
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Why in times of economic hardship do some families continue to offer to help others in the form of foster care? Can an understanding of foster families improve the targeting of foster programs? This paper presents findings from a study of more than 300 foster families from seven foster care agencies throughout urban and rural victoria. The families who currently choose or are chosen to foster are most likely to be dual parent, stable and settled Australians with an active connection and commitment to their local community and to family life and children. They do not appear to be motivated principally by rational monetary incentives but rather by a mixture of a belief in the benefits of family experiences, a strong desire to have and nurture children, a willingness to share tasks as a family unit, to both give and receive support and a conviction to be of service to others. It is concluded that foster families are not only child and family centred, they are part of active and reciprocal family and community networks that focus upon the needs of children and non-material family values.

Type
Research Article
Information
Children Australia , Volume 20 , Issue 2 , 1995 , pp. 4 - 9
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Bebbington, A. & Miles, J. (1990) The supply of foster families for children in care. British Journal of Social Work 20, 283–307.Google Scholar
Chamberlain, P., Moreland, S. & Reid, K. (1992) Enhanced services and stipends for foster parents: Effects on retention rates and outcomes for children, Child Welfare, LXXI(5), 387–401.Google Scholar
Colton, M.J. & Hellinckx, W. (eds.) (1993) Child Care in the EC, Aldershot, Hants: Arena Press.Google Scholar
Dando, .I & Minty, B. (1987) What makes good foster parents? British Journal of Social Work, 17, 383–400.Google Scholar
Dyer, E.M. (1994) Becoming a Foster Family: An Exploratory Study of the Transition of Families into the Fostering Role. M.S.W. Thesis, The University of Melbourne.Google Scholar
Fanshel, D. (1966) Foster Parenthood: A Role Analysis, Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.Google Scholar
Gain, L., Ross, E. & Fogg, S. (1987) A Balancing Act, Foster Care in N.S.W., Sydney: Council of Social Service N.S.W (pp l0-12 & 130–136).Google Scholar
Gibson, N.B., Langlois, K., Loft, D., Taylor, J. & Taylor, I. (1989) Incentives to Foster, School of Social Work, The University of Melbourne.Google Scholar
Kadushin, A. (1980) Child Welfare Services, New York: Macmillan.Google Scholar
Kay, N. (1966) A systematic approach to selecting foster parents, Case Conference, 13(2), 16–20.Google Scholar
O'Brien, T. (1984) An Organisational Study of Foster Parents and Agencies. M.S.W. Thesis, The University of Melbourne.Google Scholar
Practice Standards in Foster care (1984) Department of Health and Community Services Victoria..Google Scholar
Quinton, D. & Rutter, M. (1988) Parenting Breakdown, London: Avebury.Google Scholar
The Range and Provision of 24 Hour Care Arrangements (1982) Report of a Working Group, convened by Community Child Care, Department of Community Welfare Services, Melbourne.Google Scholar
Rumbold, L. (1989) Critical Factors in Long Term Adolescent Foster Care Placement. M.S.W. Thesis, The University of Melbourne.Google Scholar
Smith, B. & Smith, T. (1990) Collaboration or Conflict: Women in Foster Care, In Petruchinia, J., & Thorpe, R. (eds.,) Social Change, Sydney: Hale & Iremonger.Google Scholar
Tierney, L.J. (1974) Prospects and Tasks in Foster Care, Melbourne: Family Welfare Advisory Council.Google Scholar
Tierney, L. & Were, A. (1991) Contextual dimensions of foster care. Children Australia, 16(3) 7–11.Google Scholar
Webb, J. (1990) The Utilisation of Foster Care: Putting Program Policy into Practice, M.S.W. Thesis, The University of Melbourne.Google Scholar
Were, A. (1990) Whole Family Fostering, M.S.W. Thesis, The University of Melbourne.Google Scholar