Fostering Service in Kent

This essay will focus on the fostering service in Kent. This will be achieved by briefly explaining what fostering entails, the aims, targets and outcomes. The cultural and historical aspects of fostering will be looked into. The essay will also highlight the role the community and the state plays in the wellbeing of fostered children who are defined as “looked after children” by the state. This essay will also briefly explore fostering African culture.
The British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) states that fostering is looking after and living with children who cannot live with their own parents or guardians. There are about 48,000 children living in foster placements in England.   The local authority has legal parental responsibility over such children and these children are classified as “looked after children”. There are a variety of reasons that can contribute to children being looked after by the state. The main reasons can be parents failing to look after their children due to some health issues, abuse or the child’s behaviour   that can make it difficult for the parents to look after the child ( Wilson et al 2004 cited in child centred   foster care). The main aims of placing children in foster placements is to offer care to the child in a   family setting within the community, a foster carer will normally provide physical nurturing and care in a stable family setting and play the role of the dependable role model and offer positive a relationship. It is the foster carer’s responsibility to make sure the child’s educational, emotional and physical needs are being met (Foley and Roche et al 2001).   Fostering can be arranged either by the local authority or a fostering agency that works for the local authority. In most cases the children will return home once the problems have been sorted and there is clear evidence that the parent will be able to take good care of them. Some placements can be long term foster placements, in this case the...