This revised edition details organisational systems and structures that are part of the assessment and planning process for looked after children. This is closely interwoven with discussions about their emotional development, educational, health and cultural needs and how these needs can be met through social work and a range of other services. The views of looked after children are highlighted through case studies and summaries of research findings, and the range of skills and knowledge necessary to support looked after children through the key events they experience, including loss, change and the development of new relationships, are explained and illustrated.

Understanding Looked After Children is an accessible guide to understanding the mental health needs of children in foster care and the role of foster carers and support networks in helping these children. The authors provide foster carers with an insight into the psychological issues experienced by children in the care system, and the impact of these issues on the foster family. Chapters cover cultural, social and legal structures associated with foster care and both the relevant child psychology theory and examples drawn from real-life situations. The authors give advice on how to address common psychological issues in collaboration with multi-agency professionals, as well as how to access to statutory services. They also explain the possible impact of assessments on foster children and the causes and management of foster carers' own feelings of frustration, anger or disappointment with social and mental health services or the placement itself. Chapters are complemented by case studies, and the book includes a helpful glossary to common terminology. Understanding Looked After Children is essential reading for registered foster carers and those considering fostering, as well as adoptive parents, and a useful reference for trainee and experienced practitioners in the care system, including social workers, psychologists, counsellors, teachers and others looking after vulnerable children.

1. The book sets a context for the background of the care population in Wales, and charts research that explores educational experiences, outcomes, and the interventions put in place that seek to alleviate the educational disadvantages experienced by children and young people in care. 2. The book draws on empirical research to explore the lived experiences of care experienced children and young people, in a range of contexts and sites, including the home, the school, alternative educational institutions, contact centres, and the natural environment. 3. The book documents the ‘doing’ of research and methodological approaches that work directly with participants, involving participatory, qualitative, reflexive and collaborative techniques and innovative research methodologies.

Understanding Looked After Children is an accessible guide to understanding the mental health needs of children in foster care and the role of foster carers and support networks in helping these children. The authors provide foster carers with an insight into the psychological issues experienced by children in the care system, and the impact of these issues on the foster family. Chapters cover cultural, social and legal structures associated with foster care and both the relevant child psychology theory and examples drawn from real-life situations. The authors give advice on how to address common psychological issues in collaboration with multi-agency professionals, as well as how to access to statutory services. They also explain the possible impact of assessments on foster children and the causes and management of foster carers' own feelings of frustration, anger or disappointment with social and mental health services or the placement itself. Chapters are complemented by case studies, and the book includes a helpful glossary to common terminology. Understanding Looked After Children is essential reading for registered foster carers and those considering fostering, as well as adoptive parents, and a useful reference for trainee and experienced practitioners in the care system, including social workers, psychologists, counsellors, teachers and others looking after vulnerable children.

Children who are looked after or adopted may experience varieties of learning difficulties that are caused by the trauma and disruptive relationships that marked their early lives. This book provides authoritative, clinical guidance for carers and adopters on why these learning difficulties can occur and what can be done about them. In straightforward language, it explains how children's difficult early experiences can affect their learning; the importance of play to being able to learn; how to understand what the child is experiencing and why, and how carers and parents can help.

This book provides authoritative, clinical guidance for carers and adopters on why toileting issues can occur and what can be done about it. In straightforward language, it explains how children's difficult early experiences can affect their behaviour, the various physical, emotional and psychological causes, how to engage with social work and health professionals to explore this difficulty, and what solutions may be offered. In the second half of the book, a range of case studies describe what it is like to parent an affected child, how families have managed the situation, and how solutions were found for the children's problems.