The overwhelming majority of children and young people in care today are fostered, but for those who have suffered severe trauma this only increases problems and leads to fostering breakdown and multiple moves. This practical and evidence-based book outlines the principles of family placement for such children, and explores the qualities, skills and insights that create positive placement outcomes. Fostering a Child's Recovery shows how the key to good fostering is well-trained, valued and skilled foster caregivers who form part of a team of professionals who surround the child. This book will benefit all professionals and parents involved in providing recovery for traumatized children and young people in ensuring successful placements.

Foreword. Acknowledgements. A Note on Terminology. Introduction. Chapter 1: The Context of Family Placement. Chapter 2: Children and Their Histories. Chapter 3: The Carers. Chapter 4: Fostering, Loss and Opportunity. Chapter 5: Practising to Make Perfect: Introduction and the Practice Family. Chapter 6: How Placements Can Succeed. Chapter 7: Toward Independence. Endnotes. References. The Story of SACCS. The Authors. Subject Index. Author Index.

Mike Thomas MSW, CQSW is consultant for external foster care, Mary Walsh Institute. He has been involved in childcare for 25 years and in foster care since 1984, first as a worker and since 1987 also as a foster carer. He has worked in both the public and independent fostering sectors. Terry Philpot is author and editor of several books, including (with Anthony Douglas) Adoption: Changing Families, Changing Times. He co-authored the previous four books in the Delivering Recovery series. He writes occasionally for The Tablet, the Guardian and other publications, and has won several awards for his journalism.