Research Summary
Characteristics, outcomes and meanings of three types of permanent placement - adoption by strangers, adoption by carers and long-term foster careBiehal, N., Ellison, S., Baker, C. and Sinclair, I.
2009
DCSF Research Brief, DCSF-RBX-09-11
Department for Children, Schools and Families, London
7 pages
Abstract
This study addressed the key question of how best to meet the needs of children who cannot safely bereunited with their parents. It aimed to answer two further questions which follow from this:
* How successful are adoption and long-term foster care, respectively, in providing security and permanence, and in promoting positive outcomes for children?
* How do children perceive the emotional and legal security and sense of permanence offered by different types of permanent placement?
To answer these questions, the study compared three types of permanent placement: adoption by strangers, adoption by carers and long-term foster care.
The full report will be available in spring 2010 as the book:
Belonging and permanence. Outcomes in long-term foster care and adoption. BAAF, London.
