ABSTRACT
The first of two chapters concerned with children’s experiences of the care system, Chapter 3 explores the impact of maltreatment on child development and welfare and uses insights from attachment theory to understand their experiences and needs. The association between maltreatment and attachment issues is considered, together with the implications of attachment behaviours for the care of maltreated children. These accounts from the literature provide a context for examining the empirical data on the personal histories of the young participants in the CLET study, including their experiences of loss, bereavement and rejection, and their relationships with birth family members. The literature on placement stability is next considered, as a prelude to analysis of study participants’ account of their lives in care, with particular attention to placement disruption and relationships with carers. The final section considers how personal experiences before entering care and while in care affect young people’s educational continuity and engagement.
