ABSTRACT
Children are considered for placement in care when their parents are unavailable or unable to meet their needs for safety, care and control (Chamberlain, 2003; Kluger, Alexander & Curtis, 2000; McNeish et al., 2002; Reder & Lucey, 1995; Rushton & Minnis, 2002; Steinhauer, 1991; Thoburn, 2000). An example of such a case is presented in Box 22.1. These cases fall into four categories. First, a small number of children are placed in foster care because their parents die or are unable to meet the children’s needs due to parental physical illness or disability following an accident. Second, arrangements for temporary, voluntary, respite care are often made for children with intellectual or physical disabilities. This type of foster care allows parents some respite from the constant stressful demands of caring for their disabled offspring. Third, foster-care placements may be made in situations where parents are having difficulties meeting children’s needs for safety or adequate care and nurturance. In these cases child abuse or neglect may have occurred or the risk of abuse or neglect may be present. Fourth, foster placements may be made where parents have difficulty meeting children’s needs for control, clear limits and a structured approach to managing conduct problems. In these situations, the demands of managing the child’s conduct problems effectively outweigh the parents’ capacity to cope with these parenting challenges.
