This report contends that major reform of the foster care system is required to arrest the decline in foster care as an effective alternative care option. The authors propose the establishment of a professionalised system within which all carers are equipped, resourced and supported to meet the needs of the children and young people in their care. The new model integrates four key components:
- Foster parent recruitment, training and assessment
- Placement support
- Foster parent network support
- Financial resources.
