What are the key ingredients for long lasting foster care placements? In this study the lives and routines of 10 foster families, considered to be providers of effective and lasting care are examined. Featuring original research, the type of care that these families provide and the reason for their success is analysed.

Andy Pithouse and Alyson Rees

Introduction, Chapter One: Fostering in the UK, key characteristics and challenges, Chapter Two: Ways of thinking about children and families in foster care, Chapter Three: Meet the Families, Chapter Four : Tough job fostering : why do it? Chapter Five : Food, Fostering and Family Life, Chapter Six: Foster care and the 'body', Chapter Seven: Space and Place in the foster home - views from the young people