REPORT ON FOSTERING CARE INITIATIVE

Children’s policy is based on a fluid compromise between ideals and values concerning children, parents and government. In the UK, strong values exist concerning family privacy and autonomy. On the whole it is accepted that parents are normally responsible for their children’s upbringing and entitled to carry out their role without state interference. On the other hand, it has become increasingly accepted that in a complex, modern society, the government does have a role in supporting parents and this is why in almost all civilized and developed countries the government keep an eye on the children as well as provide allowances or child benefit to parents. This does not end there, in cases where the system detect an abuse of a child or children leaving in extreme poverty whereby the parents are deemed not fit to take care of there children, these children can also be placed in foster care homes. In the past orphans or delinquents have also been placed in Foster care. Foster care is a system whereby a child/young person or adolescent who is looked after by the local authority/government is placed in an institution, group home, or private home of a state-certified caregiver referred to as a ‘foster parent’. The placement of the child is usually arranged through the government or a social-service agency.