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Glossary Term Foster care (c. 1955 - )
- From
- c. 1955
- Categories
- Glossary Term and Type of 'care'
Summary
Foster care is a home-based service provided to children and young people up to 18 years of age (formerly 21) who are temporarily or permanently unable to live with their families of origin. The term 'foster care' superseded 'boarding out'.
Details
In 1983, the Department favoured foster care for children in long term 'care' because it resembled 'a normal family environment'. The foster child knew his or her 'true identity' and often maintained contact with his or her parents. Foster care could also be the best short term placement for children.
Between 1976 and 1986, the proportion of children in foster homes and approved children's homes had shifted considerably towards foster care. In 1976, 36 percent of children were in foster care compared to 19 percent in homes. By 1986, those in foster care made up 53 percent of the total and those in approved homes 10 percent.
By 1983, a Foster Parents' Association had formed which, according to the 1983 Annual Report of the Department of Community Welfare, shared 'knowledge, skill and experience in the interests of the children'.
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Publications
Journal Articles
- Evans, Caroline, 'Excellent Women and Troublesome Children: State Foster Care in Tasmania, 1896-1918', Labour History, no. 83, 2002, pp. 131-148. Details
Reports
- Ombudsman Tasmania, Listen to the children: Review of claims of abuse from adults in state care as children, Office of the Ombudsman, Tasmania, Hobart, November 2004. p.57. Details
Online Resources
- 'Government neglect: how foster care ruined a young boy's life', Stateline Tasmania, Transcript of a broadcast from 11/07/2003, reporter Garney Pearce., ABC, 2003, http://www.abc.net.au/stateline/tas/content/2003/s900369.htm. Details
- 'Grown men don't cry', 2011, http://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/dvd.htm. Details
Sources used to compile this entry: Ombudsman Tasmania, Listen to the children: Review of claims of abuse from adults in state care as children, Office of the Ombudsman, Tasmania, Hobart, November 2004. p.57..
Prepared by: Caroline Evans
Created: 12 January 2011, Last modified: 8 April 2013
Last updated: 14 May 2013
Cite this: http://www.findandconnect.gov.au/tas/biogs/TE00011b.htm
First published by the Find and Connect Web Resource Project for the Commonwealth of Australia, 2011
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