Study title

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.To keep a record of children in foster homes during a two year period, including history, behaviour and eventual disposition of each child.Main Topics:Attitudinal/Behavioural Questions Information is given on the process of placing the child in the foster home. Details include: child's natural parent(s)' attitudes, foster parent(s)' attitudes, whether the child had prior knowledge of this placing, the child's 'in-care' history, criteria affecting choice of foster homes and the Child Care Officer's attitude to the placing. The following data are recorded during the child's period of residence in the foster home: change in foster family circumstances not resulting in the removal of the child (e.g. death of foster parent, removal, birth of a child etc.), symptoms of emotional disturbance in the child (15 categories, as previously recorded), whether the child has resumed contact with the natural parents in any way. Also, foster parent(s)' motive for fostering the child is restated as apparent to the supervising Child Care Officer. The following data are recorded after the child's removal from the foster home. If child is discharged from care: date of, and reason for, discharge (10 categories), whether the child remained in the foster home on reaching the age of 18. If removed from the foster home for reason other than discharge from care: date, factors contributing to or resulting in removal (27 categories), whether the stated were mere excuses on the part of the foster parent(s) to terminate agreement, whether removal was arranged at insistence of the child, the foster parent(s) or the Child Care Officer. Finally a tally is given of the number of Child Care Officers who have supervised the child during his stay at the foster home. Background Variables Child: date of birth, religion, age on reception into care, date of placing, reason for acceptance into care, period of care and former placings,...