Henrietta Bond

Baaf Adoption and Fostering

ISBN 1 903699 24 X, £8.50

Star Rating: 4/5

Prospective foster carers usually come armed with a list of questions that need answers. And this clearly written book features those most frequently asked, writes Collette Batho.

The author honestly balances the facts about fostering without deterring prospective carers from taking their interest further.

A short introduction, putting fostering in the context of child care law, leads into a presentation of the most important aspects of the task.

A comprehensive section at the back details fostering service providers, further reading and other useful organisations.

However, there is no mention that agencies are registered and that their inspection reports can be read at the Commission for Social Care Inspection website. This is a serious omission from what is otherwise a useful and well presented book.

Collette Batho is director of Asphaleia Fostering, a registered independent fostering agency