ABSTRACT
The previous chapter showed that, by the time a child arrives in care, a great deal of thought and work should already have been done. In this chapter we turn to the attributes of the placement itself that are commonly said to be associated with successful outcomes. As with the previous chapter we will find that there is a high degree of consensus in the field which is not altogether justified by the strength of the available evidence. We begin by considering interventions for the promotion of stable foster placements before turning to the potential role of the biological family in foster care through sibling co-placement, kinship care and parental visiting. We then consider methods for dealing with separation distress, foster carer support and remuneration and external case review before finishing with a brief overview of the issues involved in planning for discharge.
