Item details

The book comprises eight chapters:

1. explains the term 'family and friends care' and looks at some of the advantages and challenging of caring for children in this way
2. looks at a variety of legal arrangements which can be made, and considers court orders and alternatives to going to court
3. considers the legal situation when children are in the care of a public authority and explains when family and friends carers will need to become approved foster carers
4. describes the process of becoming an approved foster carer
5. discusses financial issues, including allowances and other payments, tax, insurance and benefits
6. explores what it means to be an approved foster carer, working as part of a team
7. focuses on the needs of children, how to understand their behaviour and when to seek outside help
8. looks at what is meant by 'child abuse' and 'safer caring', and gives ideas about how to respond to a child who has, or may have, been abused.

There are also appendices that contain contact details of organisations that might be helpful, a glossary of terms, a list of the competencies for foster carers and some suggestions for further reading.