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New guide to attachment published by top fostering charity

14 April 2008

A new guide offering foster carers advice and practical information on issues around attachment theory is published this month by leading charity the Fostering Network.

Attachment is the third publication in a series of training guides from the Fostering Network, designed to contribute to foster carers’ post-approval training. There are sections on key concepts and ideas around attachment, the role of foster care in attachment theory and practical steps to deal with issues for children who have not experienced positive attachment.

Attachment is the bond between a child who needs care and their caregiver. Attachment theory holds that a strong bond between the child and caregiver can lead to more positive outcomes for the child. According to the theory, the reverse is true for children who have not had the chance to develop positive attachment to a caregiver.

Hazel Halle, director of services at the Fostering Network, said:

"Foster carers may have the privilege of being the main caregiver in the first few years of a child’s life and helping to give that child the best possible start in life. But more often, they will face the challenge of helping to improve outcomes for an older child who did not receive adequate care and so could not form a secure attachment to their caregiver in their early years.

"This guide is designed to help foster carers understand and work through the issues surrounding attachment theory, to ensure that they can offer the best possible support to the children in their care."

Foster carer David Hadjicostas said: "Forming a positive attachment to a parent or carer is vital for a child’s future success. It helps them to learn about appropriate behaviour and how to handle different relationships. It’s really important that foster carers understand attachment theory and have practical solutions to issues it throws up. Attachment is an indispensable resource for both new and experienced foster carers."

For more information or a review copy contact Angela King on 020 7620 6441 or email media@fostering.net.

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Notes to Editors

  1. The Fostering Network’s Pathways Through Fostering guides offer professional, tailored post-approval guidance for foster carers in key topics. Safer Caring was published in 2006, Contact in January 2008 and three more guides – to managing behaviour, health and education - are due out later this year.
  2. Attachment (ISBN 1 897869 52 5) is aimed at foster carers, adoptive parents, residential workers and anyone else working closely with children or young people. It is available from Central Books by calling 0845 458 9910, emailing tfn@centralbooks.com or visiting the website at www.fostering.net/publications, priced £12 for members of the Fostering Network (£24 for non-members).
  3. The Fostering Network is the UK’s leading charity for all those involved in fostering, and exists to ensure that fostered children receive the highest standards of care.