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Giovanna Richmond, Emeritus Professor Morag McArthur (Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University)
Supported by the Sidney Myer Fund and The Myer Foundation, through the Australian Foster Care Association
This project aimed to identify effective strategies to attract, support, and retain foster and kinship carers, thereby enhancing the stability and quality of care provided to children and young people.
The foster care system in Australia faces significant challenges in recruiting and retaining skilled carers, impacting the quality of care for children and young people in need.
The research team worked closely in consultation with the Australian Foster Care Association, foster and kinship carers and representatives from child protection agencies. The team conducted a comprehensive literature review on foster carer attraction, recruitment, support, and retention, and analysed existing data and policies.
They identified key factors influencing carer recruitment and retention, such as support services, training, and recognition of the work of carers. And they developed evidence-based recommendations for improving carer support systems.
Efforts of foster care providers and governments to attract a wider range of demographic, cultural and family groups and carers to foster care could be enhanced by supporting the quality of the relationship between carer and child, rather than particular family structures.
Richmond, G., & McArthur, M. (2017). Foster and Kinship Carer Recruitment and Retention: Encouraging and Sustaining Quality Care to Improve Outcomes for Children and Young People in Care. Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University.
Thomson, L., McArthur, M., Barry, E. (2017). Recruiting and Retaining Foster Carers. Research to Practice Series, Issue 16. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, ACU.
Thomson, L., Watt, E., & McArthur, M. (2016). Literature review: Foster carer attraction, recruitment, support and retention. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University.
Completed 2017
For more information contact: icps@acu.edu.au
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