Archive

 A Marginalised Resource? Recruiting, assessing and supporting single carers
 Bridget Betts,
 British Association for Fostering and Adoption,
 ISBN 97819056641436,
 Price £9.95

 Star rating: 5/5

Social workers often struggle to equip themselves with the right tools for assessing prospective single carers and this guide gives both confidence and good practice tips to the reader, writes Sarah Clayson.

The first chapter gives a brief account of the history of adoption and fostering legislation and the more recent changes. There is a strong link with research in practice which gives a useful and up-to-date framework to work within. Anecdotes from a variety of single carers show clearly the importance of understanding the changes in society and the positive role models that single men and women can give to children in order for them to develop their fullest potential in a single carer household.

The book takes you through the whole process from enquiry to matching and highlights both the discrimination applicants have felt as well as the positive support that has been available.

A well written resource for social workers and managers alike with an equally useful bibliography. Buy a copy for your teams.

Sarah Clayson is service manager for family placement, Oxfordshire