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Symposium held at the University of Salford, 28 March 2007

As a result of a unique partnership between the University of Salford, the Fostering Network and publishers Whiting and Birch, an invited group of academics, researchers, managers and practitioners all involved in the field of foster care, met together on 28 March 2007, to discuss fostering and the Government’s proposals for change.

The symposium, a meeting at which academic and research papers are presented and discussed, was co-ordinated by Dr Elizabeth Harlow who is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Salford.

Policy developments relating to Care Matters

Care Matters was the catalyst for the event. Six presentations were made on policy and practice developments related to the green paper. Professor Nick Frost introduced the event with a paper entitled Children of the State? The Green Paper, New Labour and Corporate Parenting. This was followed by five further presentations:

  • Towards a mixed economy of child care provision, presented by Dr Clive Sellick of the University of East Anglia
  • Step forward? Step back? Professionalisation in foster care, given by Dr Derek Kirton of the University of Kent
  • Social pedagogy: Trojan horse or stalking horse? presented by Dr Dave Crimmens of the University of Lincoln
  • Sexuality Matters: Developments in the field of lesbian and gay foster care, Dr Steve Hicks of the University of Salford
  • Professor Bob Broad of De Montfort University presented his work on Kinship Care: Current knowledge and developments.

The quality of the speakers was universally praised with comments varying from "excellent" to "outstanding". The audience was given an opportunity to exchange research findings and have time to think about alternative perspectives as well as the implications for policy and practice.

The next steps ...

Two special editions of the journal Social Work and Social Sciences Review will ensure that the papers reach both national and international audiences.

Following the forthcoming publication of a white paper setting out the next steps for children in care, the Fostering Network will be continuing the debate with a similar event in London in the summer.

Read the Fostering Network's response to the Care Matters green paper

Cover of Care Matters