We have produced a list of key resources on this topic.
Foster carers can have children and young people coming into
their care who have had experience of various different types of
abuse. All foster carers need training and support in caring for
these children.
For resources relating to allegations, see the Allegations
section.
Useful links
Publications and resources from the Fostering Network
- Alcohol: information sheet for foster carers
- Publisher: The Fostering Network
- Date: 2007
- This information sheet gives information about alcohol, its relevance to foster carers and the legal aspects such as licensing laws.
- Price: Free for members
- Full details…
- Foster care and drug abuse
- Publisher: The Fostering Network
- Date: c. 2000
- Includes information about a foster carer’s legal responsibilities, categories of drugs and general signs of drug use, risks, reasons why a young person may be using drugs, and what a foster carer can do. It also lists some useful resources.
- Price: Free to members
- Full details…
- Fostering a Child Who Has Been Sexually Abused: information for foster carers

- Publisher: The Fostering Network
- Date: 1997
- Any child who comes into foster care may have been sexually abused.
- Code: 2061
- Price: £2 members, £4 non-members
- Full details…
- Pathways Through Fostering: Safer Caring

- Author: Jacky Slade
- Publisher: The Fostering Network
- Date: 2006
- With over 100,000 copies sold since the first edition was published in 1995, this title now forms part of the Pathways series.
Its straightforward approach to creating an environment in which everyone can feel protected is an essential tool that has already benefited thousands of foster carers.
- Code: 7067
- Price: £12 members, £24 non-members
- Full details…
- Self-harm in teenage placements
- Publisher: The Fostering Network
- Date: c. 2000
- Information sheet for foster carers about young people in care who self harm.
- Price: Free to members
- Full details…