Still the Poor Relations?: Perspectives on Valuing and Listening to Foster Carers

Abstract

There has long been debate regarding the treatment and status of foster carers, but this has gained added significance in the context of moves towards professionalisation and recognition of carers as part of the children's workforce. While research studies have often touched upon the extent to which foster carers feel valued, appreciated or members of a team, less attention has been given to the perspectives of social workers and managers. Drawing on quantitative survey data and qualitative material from focus groups and interviews, Derek Kirton, Jennifer Beecham and Kate Ogilvie explore from the different perspectives of supervising social workers, service managers and foster carers, the extent to which the latter are valued, listened to or regarded as 'colleagues' by social work professionals and agencies. Key findings include that carers' sense of being valued may be linked to factors such as age, experience, health and number of placements provided. Discussion of the status of foster carers revealed not only wide variation in practice but also a complex set of sentiments and significant divisions among social work professionals on the question of whether carers should be regarded as 'colleagues'.

Acolhimento Familiar em Portugal e Espanha: Uma Investigação Comparada sobre a Satisfação dos Acolhedores

“…Apesar das possíveis difi culdades que coloca, nomeadamente o acesso consentido às famílias, escutar os acolhedores é uma atividade essencial para o desenvolvimento e aperfeiçoamento dos serviços de acolhimento familiar, para o desenvolvimento teórico sobre a intervenção e, inclusivamente, para o empowerment dos envolvidos (Baker, 2007;Kirton, Beecham, & Ogilvie, 2007). Mais, avaliar regularmente a satisfação dos acolhedores pode facilitar a identifi cação precoce de diversos problemas que podem colocar em risco o acolhimento, possibilitando a intervenção no início dos mesmos e melhorar, deste modo, o seu prognóstico.…”

Participation of Children, Birth Parents and Foster Carers in the Matching Decision. Paternalism or Partnership?

“…This study showed that assumption, timing and feasibility diminished the influence of stakeholders on the matching decision. Prior research has already highlighted the ‘paternalistic view’ that practitioners sometimes have towards their work with clients (Arbeiter and Toros, ; Healy et al, ; Kirton et al, ; Levin et al, ). This study, in a way, also portrays practitioners as using a ‘paternalistic view’ of participation.…”

“…When they feel valued and taken seriously, they have a better relationship with the organisation and are more likely to continue fostering (Sellick, ). However, social workers mention mixed views on the appropriateness of treating carers as equal partners in decisions (Kirton et al, ). They argue that foster carers are not always able to ‘see the bigger picture’.…”

“…They argue that foster carers are not always able to ‘see the bigger picture’. Furthermore, the responsibility of social workers for the outcome of the foster care process could be a barrier to treating foster carers as colleagues (Kirton et al, ).…”

Australian foster carers’ negotiations of intimacy with agency workers, birth families and children

“…Rather, the analogy highlights the fact that foster carers and agency workers are both engaged in the life of a child, and that such engagement requires collaboration and respect, rather than relegating each party to entirely distinct and separate spheres. Kirton, Beecham and Ogilvie (2007) suggest that one reason why agency workers may refuse closer relationships with foster carers is due to the potential for abuse allegations. In this instance, their participants suggested, agency workers need to be impartial parties who can undertake an investigation.…”