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Understanding Looked After Children: An Introduction to Psychology for Foster Care
Understanding Looked After Children is an accessible guide to understanding the mental health needs of children in foster care and the role of foster carers and support networks in helping these children. The authors provide foster carers with an insight into the psychological issues experienced by children in the care system, and the impact of these issues on the foster family. Chapters cover cultural, social and legal structures associated with foster care and both the relevant child psychology theory and examples drawn from real-life situations. The authors give advice on how to address common psychological issues in collaboration with multi-agency professionals, as well as how to access to statutory services. They also explain the possible impact of assessments on foster children and the causes and management of foster carers' own feelings of frustration, anger or disappointment with social and mental health services or the placement itself. Chapters are complemented by case studies, and the book includes a helpful glossary to common terminology. Understanding Looked After Children is essential reading for registered foster carers and those considering fostering, as well as adoptive parents, and a useful reference for trainee and experienced practitioners in the care system, including social workers, psychologists, counsellors, teachers and others looking after vulnerable children.
- GenresFostering
176 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2007
35 people want to read
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March 15, 2012
This book is a basic guide covering some of the mental health issues and needs of foster children. It is written with the UK foster system in mind. Though this means the support systems will be different for the US, the health issues are international.
The first chapters cover some common behaviors and problems when children first enter foster care. Basically, all children form connections to main caregivers, even in dysfunctional relationships, and so removal of the child will cause stress. The more suddenly and drastically the child’s world changes, the more stress. If a foster parent can retain some of the routine (such as same school) not only can the foster parent gain information on the child’s normal behavior but also more adults can keep an eye out for problems. Other chapters include overviews of Autism, Aspergers, problems associated with sexual assault, other forms of abuse, helping the child move on in cases of permanent placement or reunification, etc.
Each topic is started with a case study and followed by advice for parents on how they can regulate their own emotions and reactions.
The first chapters cover some common behaviors and problems when children first enter foster care. Basically, all children form connections to main caregivers, even in dysfunctional relationships, and so removal of the child will cause stress. The more suddenly and drastically the child’s world changes, the more stress. If a foster parent can retain some of the routine (such as same school) not only can the foster parent gain information on the child’s normal behavior but also more adults can keep an eye out for problems. Other chapters include overviews of Autism, Aspergers, problems associated with sexual assault, other forms of abuse, helping the child move on in cases of permanent placement or reunification, etc.
Each topic is started with a case study and followed by advice for parents on how they can regulate their own emotions and reactions.
Displaying 1 of 1 review