IMPACT OF FOSTER CARER DETACHMENT

Investigating the Impact of Foster Carer Detachment on Short-term Foster Carers in the
United Kingdom

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IMPACT OF FOSTER CARER DETACHMENT

Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction .............................................................................................................. 1
Statement of Findings ............................................................................................................ 1
1.2 Strengths and Limitations of the Study............................................................................ 1
1.2.1 Strengths of the Study ............................................................................................... 1
1.2.2 Weaknesses of the Study .......................................................................................... 2
Chapter 2: Literature Review ..................................................................................................... 2
2.1 Question Context (1000words) ........................................................................................ 2
2.1.1 Research Question .................................................................................................... 2
2.1.2 Background for the Research Question .................................................................... 2
2.1.3 Relevance of the Research Question......................................................................... 3
2.1.4 Policy involved and Theoretical Background ........................................................... 4
2.1.5 Practical Issues Associated with Foster Care Detachment ....................................... 4
Chapter 3: Methodology ............................................................................................................ 5
3.1 Search Strategy ................................................................................................................ 5
3.2 Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria ...................................................................................... 6
3.2.1 Inclusion Criteria in the Study .................................................................................. 6
3.2.2 Exclusion Criteria for the Study ............................................................................... 6
3.3 Data Collection and Analysis........................................................................................... 7
3.3.1 Data Filtering ............................................................................................................ 7
3.3.2 Data Analysis Process ............................................................................................... 7
3.4 Research Ethics ................................................................................................................ 8
4.0 Results and Discussion ........................................................................................................ 8
4.1 Results .............................................................................................................................. 8
4.2 Thematic Discussion ...................................................................................................... 12
4.2.1 Impacts of Detachment on Emotional Wellbeing ................................................... 12
4.2.2 Effects of Detachment on Personality of Carers ..................................................... 13
4.2.3 Ongoing Concern regarding the well-being of the minors ..................................... 13
4.2.4 Carers’ Effort Recognition ...................................................................................... 14
4.2.5 Relevance and Implications of the Findings on the Research Question ................. 14
4.2.6 Implications for Future Research ............................................................................ 15
Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendation.......................................................................... 16
5.1 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 16
5.2 Limitations of the Study................................................................................................. 16

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IMPACT OF FOSTER CARER DETACHMENT

5.3 Recommendations .......................................................................................................... 17

References ................................................................................................................................ 18

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Chapter 1: Introduction

Statement of Findings

Short-term foster carers are likely to experience challenges that are linked to detachment
from the children under their care. The role of foster carers is to provide a parental role in the
lives of foster children. Detachment can have a serious impact on minors as it can affect their
future ability to love and form attachment in their adulthood. The findings of the study
indicate that the feelings of attachment that carers develop towards foster children make it
harder for them to let go after the period of care ends. As a result, short-term foster carers fear
detachment from the children due to the emotional and psychological pain and heartbreak
that arises from the experience. The foster parents are likely to develop feelings of
insignificance since their dedication to the children is short-lived and may end up not seeing
the minor ever again. As such, the foster carers develop a coping mechanism where they
avoid attachment at all cost since they will end up losing the foster child in the near future.
The process of detachment can be mentally exhausting and emotionally consuming as the
foster carers try to adjust to the constant loss they have to experience every time the foster
child in their care is given a permanent home.

1.2 Strengths and Limitations of the Study

1.2.1 Strengths of the Study

The research conducted a study of articles that focus on short-term foster carers who are
allocated children for a short period before they are returned back to their parents or are given
a long-term foster patent. The articles selected were given a timeline from 2009, which
ensures that the findings of the research are still relevant in the current context of foster care.

The study also focuses on the wide range of impacts from different perspectives including
emotional effects and psychological impacts which gives it a realistic approach towards the
lives of short-term foster carers. The focus on journal articles also gives the findings of the
research credibility and increases the reliability of conclusions drawn from the study. ()
suggested that reliability is a key component of research and proves that the results are
consistent. The ability to obtain data from credible sources increased the validity and
reliability of the research. The research also relied on primary sources which have conducted
a field study providing more objective results. As a result, the findings drawn was based on a
real-life experience that had been investigated by the authors of the journal articles. Lastly,

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the articles selected were peer-reviewed which means that they can be trusted to provide
quality and reliable data.

1.2.2 Weaknesses of the Study

Investigating foster care provides a complex challenge that is difficult to research and provide
credible conclusions from a single investigation (Kerrane & Hogg 2013). The research sought
to investigate the effects of detachment on short-term carers. However, the perception of
detachment and understanding of the impacts is likely to vary from one individual to another
and the specifics have not been discussed in this research. As a result, the study does not
provide an in-depth analysis of the interpretation of detachment and how it is likely to affect
the ability to analyse its impacts on the foster carer.

The study selected a secondary research approach where data was obtained from articles that
discussed the investigation of other scholars. However, it was evident that there were few
articles that provided the specific analysis that the research was looking for. In particular, it
was discovered that very few articles address the issue of foster care detachment. Therefore,
the findings of the research do not provide a clear picture of the issue of short-term foster
carer detachment. Therefore, it would be necessary for a field investigation to be carried to
provide an in-depth understanding of the impact of detachment on foster carers. Moreover,
the use of secondary sources prevents first-hand interaction with the foster carer which would
have been critical in understanding the various emotions and psychological outcomes they
experience as a result of detachment.

Chapter 2: Literature Review

2.1 Question Context (1000words)

2.1.1 Research Question

What is the Impact of Foster Carer Detachment on Short-Term Foster Carers in the United
Kingdom?

2.1.2 Background for the Research Question

Foster care is a common practice in the UK due to the focus of ensuring children are well
cared for and protected in society from potential abuse or irresponsibility (Pemberton, 2011).
Therefore, foster care has been considered as an important part of social care with the goal of
promoting the wellbeing of the child and proper upbringing that will lead to responsible

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adulthood. According to George (2014), foster caregivers are charged with the role of giving
day-to-day care to the minor. This means that they should have a good emotional as well as
psychological attachment to the minors. However, a challenge arises when the foster children
need to be returned to their parents or have been assigned a permanent foster parent. As a
result, short-term foster carers have to learn how to attach and later detach when the foster
child is gone (Kirton, 2007). Foster carers often develop an emotional bond with the child
and consider them as part of their family. The carer is tasked with the responsibility of loving
and caring for the foster child only to be later expected to let go of the child after the period
which can sometimes be several months or years. As such, the process of detachment can be
a traumatising experience for the carers. Although the process of detachment is considered as
necessary to enable the child to be readily integrated into their old or new family, an in-depth
study on the corresponding effects related to the process is largely lacking (Kirton, 2007).
Hence, it is on this basis that the research question is considered worth investigating.

2.1.3 Relevance of the Research Question

Conducting an investigation into the effects of detachment on short-term carers is relevant as

it will provide an in-depth understanding of the challenges that they go through in their
profession. Since the wellbeing of the foster carer is considered critical to providing quality
fostering services, it is necessary to understand the factors that are likely to have a negative
impact on their capacity to provide quality care to foster children. The investigation of
detachment on short-term foster carers will help shed light on the challenges they face while
caring for foster children which can inform on how their experiences are likely to affect the
outcomes of foster care. The psychosocial theory presents that individuals grow through the
contact they have with others (Plimmer, 2014). As such, the interaction between foster carers
and children impacts how they grow. As a result, understanding how the wellbeing of carers
is affected by detachment can help understand how the negative outcomes can influence care
foster children to receive and their future outcomes.

The implementation of intervention strategies that target foster carers depends on the
identification of challenges and patterns in behaviour in the fostering profession (Smyke et
al., 2009). Therefore, since detachment is one of the factors that affect the mental wellbeing
of carers, an investigation on the factor is likely to provide insights on how to develop
intervention strategies that will be effective at improving the level of care delivered by foster
parents. The social cognitive theory outlines how close relationships with minors affects their

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behaviour and social outcomes. Hence, the interaction between the foster carer and the child
is critical to ensuring proper development. As such, exploring detachment can contribute to
ways of improving the influence foster carers have to realise positive outcomes in children.

2.1.4 Policy involved and Theoretical Background

In the UK, agencies concerned with child protection have been given the responsibility of
protecting children rights as they transform into adults. For instance, in reference to the
Children Act 2004 that focuses on protecting the needs of children in the UK, care providers
are required to handle every child needs to be handled in regard to their background while
ensuring that their needs and preferences are given priority (Sarumi, 2011). Children who go
through abuse and neglect can find protection through foster parenting and care. Children’s
Commissioner, on the other hand, is a non-departmental public body in the UK that has the
role of protecting and also promoting children rights. The Children’s Commissioner was
established as part of the Children Act 2004 with the main agenda of promoting the interests
and views of children (Thomas, 2010). These legal bodies promote better foster care while
focusing on the needs and interests of every child which contributes to the achievement of
their dreams. They provide foster carers with details of what is required of them during care
provision.

Theoretically, foster carers tend to create social relationships with children as an important
part of the growth and transformation of children into reasonable adults. This can be
explained by the use of theories such as the psychological theory created by Erik Erikson
which asserts that an individual perceived self-growth through interaction with other people
(Cote & Levine, 2014). Foster carers also in the process form social relationships which may
lead to emotional drain during detachment. The transpersonal theory is another theoretical
perspective that explains the importance of forming social relationships and interactions with
other people and how this enhances development (Friedman & Hartelius, 2015).

2.1.5 Practical Issues Associated with Foster Care Detachment

The research question will provide critical insights towards the process of detachment and the
challenges that foster carers experience while caring for foster children. Short-term carers
tend to offer their services to a wide range of children. As such, their wellbeing is critical to
the overall quality of care that foster carers provide to foster children. Therefore, it becomes
critical to ensure their mental, physical and psychological wellbeing is maintained to
guarantee quality foster care services. Understanding how they are affected by detachment

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will be essential in identifying the approaches that should be implemented with the
challenges they face when letting go of foster children. The findings obtained from the
review of the literature will provide critical insight into the management of detachment
experience. The foremost stage would include getting a proper understanding of the
detachment process as an important section of addressing the challenges that carers face
during the phase. Understanding the impact of detachment will play a major role in finding
out emotional impacts on the carers. The main objective of this review is to look into the
effects of detachment by focusing on the emotions of carers, outcomes and possible solutions
for managing the detachment effects. The information achieved from the research will make a
big contribution to literature and enhance awareness of the challenges that accompany foster
care.

Chapter 3: Methodology

3.1 Search Strategy

A search strategy based on keywords and key phrases were defined to facilitate identification
of relevant articles that focus on the challenges that foster carers face when detaching from
minors placed under their care. The keywords and phrases that were used are:

Search strategy
Key Phrases Combination of key phrases and search
results

1. Foster carers, short-term carers 1. 1 and 2 (7390)

2. Detachment 2. 5 and 4 and 3 (20,000)
3. Foster parents 3. 2 and 1 (17,000)
4. foster children 4. 6 and 1 and 2 (17,100)
5. letting go 5. 7 and 1 and 5 and 4 (18,000)
6. Mental health and challenges 6. 1 and 2 and 8 (17,000)
7. Emotions, grief 7. 8 and 5 and 1 (17,300)
8. dealing with detachment

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Some of the phrases that were formed included:

1. Foster carers and detachment.

2. Letting go of foster children for foster parents.
3. Impacts of detachment on short-term foster carers.
4. Mental health and challenges of short-term foster carers after detachment
5. Emotions foster carers go through when letting go of foster children
6. How short-term foster carers deal with detachment.
7. Managing grief of letting go for foster carers.
The keywords were modified during the search in order to provide more results on the
subject. The process involved modifying the keywords and phrases such as altering the order
and including other words. For instance, phrases such as ‘challenges,’ ‘issues,’ and rationale
were useful in refining the search.

3.2 Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria

3.2.1 Inclusion Criteria in the Study

The search was conducted on online databases that contain information on foster parenting
with a focus on the United Kingdom and included the NHS database and legal documents on
children protection. The criterion for inclusion was any articles that provided quality
information on the experience of carers during foster parenting. In particular, the articles
selected focused on those that discussed emotional, psychological, mental, and other personal
outcomes that arise due to detachment from foster children. Other articles included were
those that sought to provide a legal background to fostering. Moreover, articles that focused
on the challenges that foster parents face were also considered. The inclusion criteria also
focused on the inclusion of articles with the latest and relevant information with respect to the
research question. It was deemed appropriate to select articles published later than 2009
unless they have key legislative or permanent information.

3.2.2 Exclusion Criteria for the Study

Sources that did not talk about detachment from the point of view of the carer were excluded
from the research. Articles that discussed the general implications of the detachment of the
foster carers without focusing on the effect on were also excluded. Moreover, sources that
failed to discuss aspects such as the mental, physical or psychological impact of the foster
carer detachment were excluded from the selection. It was also necessary to exclude articles

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that discussed issues surrounding foster parenting in general. This was due to the primary
focus on detachment rather than the relationships between the children and the foster parents.

3.3 Data Collection and Analysis

3.3.1 Data Filtering

To obtain quality data, it was necessary to define a data filtering procedure. The search
strategy facilitated the searching of articles in databases. However, the selection of the
articles that would be relevant for the research was based on a filtering technique. A filtering
strategy is necessary to discard any material that is not relevant and determine those that
provide adequate information for use in the research. The filtering process involved the
removal of articles that did not meet the inclusion criteria while also utilising the exclusion
criteria to narrow down the number of articles selected for use in the review. The filtering
approach used involved reading through the titles and abstracts of the articles obtained during
the search process. The researcher determined from the titles and abstracts those that seemed
appropriate and selected them. The next step entailed involved a full analysis of the selected
articles to establish whether they met the inclusion and exclusion criteria defined. From there,
the researcher remained with a few articles that were considered relevant to the research.

3.3.2 Data Analysis Process

The process of analysing data is heavily influenced by the nature of data that the research
collected Thomas (2013). Hence, it becomes critical to identify clearly the type of data that
the research used in order to develop an approach for analysis. In the research, the data
collected was mainly theoretical and descriptive which implies that qualitative data was to be
used for analysis. Therefore, it would be necessary to apply a qualitative analysis to facilitate
the interpretation and analysis of the data collected. In this case, the data collected was
qualitative which provided a theoretical and descriptive account of foster carer detachment.
Therefore a qualitative analysis was conducted. Qualitative analysis is a process that entails
the comparison of information from the data collected with relevant theories with the goal of
obtaining credible conclusions that are applicable to the research. Qualitative analysis allows
for making qualitative conclusions and inferences without necessarily relying on numeric and
quantitative data in research. The analysis of the qualitative data was conducted using a
thematic discussion which involved the identification of patterns in the data and proceeding
to develop relevant themes. In order to analyse the data, the first step is to ensure that the data
is valid through the test-retest technique. Analysing the journals for relevant information on

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the detachment process and its effects is important in the data analysis as is ensuring that the
information is credible and collected from peer-reviewed sources. The thematic approach
involved the researcher reading through the articles to familiarise with their content. The
researcher proceeded to identify the key patterns in the articles while attempting to develop a
relationship between them. The next stage entailed studying the common patterns and coming
with themes that provide a strong link between the findings of the different articles. The
themes were written down and an extensive discussion conducted on them. In doing so, the
researcher was able to develop relevant conclusion from the findings that could be used in
answering the research question.

3.4 Research Ethics

Ethics forms a critical part of the research process. Markowitz, Alison, Conrad & Grossman
(2011) posited that the collection of data using secondary sources facilitates a highly ethical
approach to the research process. For instance, secondary sources enable the researcher to
avoid the issues of confidentiality and maintaining the anonymity of the participants.
However, this does not imply that secondary research is exempted from the observance of
ethical practices. For instance, Aveyard, Sharp & Wooliams (2011) argued that there are legal
procedures that govern the process of data collection to ensure that the best data is collected.
Moreover, it is important that the researcher maintains impartiality and avoids bias
throughout the research process. Therefore, it will be critical to ensure that impartiality is
maintained and procedures are taken to avoid bias that could lead to inaccurate findings. The
approach will ensure validity and reliability are upheld in conducting the research.

4.0 Results and Discussion

4.1 Results

A total of 5 articles were identified for analysis. The articles are presented in chronological
order in the table below.

Study/Year Sample size Study Key Relevance to the topic

design/assessed Findings/results
Dozier, M. et al. N=46 A randomised The research The study indicates the
(2009) ‘Effects of Children controlled trial established that importance of foster

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 IMPACT OF FOSTER CARER DETACHMENT

a foster parent were was conducted to foster parents who carers having an
training program assigned to understand the had an autonomous autonomous state mind
on young carers. impact of foster state of mind were in developing an
children’s parent training on likely to promote attachment to foster
attachment the attachment secure attachment children. However, the
behaviors: behaviour of with the children. challenges foster carers
Preliminary children. As a result, the experience as a result
evidence from a An intervention mental state of the of detachment is likely
randomized strategy was foster carer is to impact their ability
clinical trial’, implemented critical to care for foster
Child and where the foster The intervention children. Therefore, the
Adolescent Social carers were strategy article will help in the
Work Journal. trained with the implemented evaluation of mental
Springer, 26(4), goal of helping proved effective in and psychological
pp. 321–332. them override improving the impacts of foster carer
their own issues relationship detachment.
that could between the foster
interfere with carer and the foster
providing a children which led
nurturing to improved
environment for attachment
the children. between them.
Whenan, R., N=58 The study The findings of the The study provides
Oxlad, M. and The investigated foster study revealed that insights into the
Lushington, K. researchers carer wellbeing foster carers are emotions and
(2009) ‘Factors sent out 582 and satisfaction more efficient wellbeing of the foster
associated with mails where with out-of-home when they have a carer. The findings
foster carer well- 101 care. The primary warm relationship could shed light on
being, satisfaction questionnair focus was on the with the child. The how to foster carer
and intention to es were attachment characteristics of characteristics
continue returned. Of relationships that the foster carer including the personal
providing out-of- those return, foster carers and were found to issues they are going
home care’, 43 were children form. affect how children through could affect

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 IMPACT OF FOSTER CARER DETACHMENT

Children and unusable form attachment the delivery of care.

Youth Services which relationships with The characteristics
Review. doi: resulted in a their foster carers. could be related to the
10.1016/j.childyou final sample impacts that
th.2009.02.001. of 58 foster detachment has on the
carers. carers and the potential
outcomes in caring for
children.
Moreover, the research
emphasizes the role of
positive relationships
with which can be used
to analyse the lack of
forming effective
relationships for short-
term carers.

Collins, M. E., N=96 The study The results of the The results of the study
Spencer, R. and Mails were evaluates the study indicated that highlight the critical
Ward, R. (2010) sent to nature of support an outreach worker role that foster carers
‘Supporting youth recruit the that foster care was involved in play in providing care
in the transition participants. children received many of the foster to foster children and
from foster care: The researchers care children. It equipping them to have
formal and collected data was determined a fulfilling life in
informal from 96 different that the level of future. As such, the
connections.’, young people who support that foster findings of the study
Child Welfare, had been in foster children receive can be used to
89(1). care. Screening influences their demonstrate the need
was done to future outcomes. for foster carers to be
determine those As such, foster in a proper state of
that met the carers play a mind in order to deliver
sample critical role in quality care to children
requirements. shaping the lives of in their care.

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 IMPACT OF FOSTER CARER DETACHMENT

Interview foster children.

arrangements
were made to
facilitate the
collection of data
from
participation.
Bywater, T. et al. N=46 A trial platform The outcomes of The study will provide
(2011) ‘Incredible A 12-month study was the intervention insight into how the
Years parent trial was conducted to revealed a health of foster carer
training support conducted assess factors reduction in child can be effective in
for foster carers in with 46 such as parenting problem behaviour. reducing child problem
Wales: A multi- foster carers. competency, Moreover, there behaviour. The article
centre feasibility depression levels, was a significant will be critical in
study’, Child: child behaviour, improvement in the understanding the
Care, Health and and service use. A carer depression emotional outcomes of
Development. doi: follow-up levels. The foster carer detachment
10.1111/j.1365- measurement was findings evidenced and the intervention
2214.2010.01155. conducted 6 that the strategies that can be
x. months later. Self- implementation of used. The effectiveness
reports from the an intervention of the intervention
carers were used programme can programmes can be
to evaluate prove effective in used to demonstrate the
behaviour. improving care positive outcomes of
outcomes and the addressing the
ability to foster wellbeing challenges
carers to cope with that arise form
the challenges they detachment.
face.
Murray, L., N=17 The article The results of the The article will help in
Tarren-Sweeney, The focused on research indicate developing a
M. and France, K. researchers investigating the the high burden of relationship between
(2011) ‘Foster focused on burden of care care that leads to the stress and emotions

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 IMPACT OF FOSTER CARER DETACHMENT

carer perceptions selecting that foster carers stress and less that foster carers
of support and foster carers face and the stress adaptability. The experience due to
training in the who had related to caring stress and other detachment and how
context of high cared for for foster children. emotions that the their wellbeing is likely
burden of care’, children The research also foster carers to influence the service
Child and Family under the evaluated the need experienced tended they deliver and the
Social Work, age of 11. for support and to influence the behaviour of children
16(2), pp. 149– training for foster behaviour of under their care.
158. doi: carers and their children that were
10.1111/j.1365- burden of care. under their care.
2206.2010.00722.
x.

An analysis of the article was done to identify the emerging themes in the articles. A thematic
discussion was then conducted on the various themes to provide credible insights in relation
to the research question.

4.2 Thematic Discussion

From the findings of the study, a wide range of themes relating to the question under research
can be clearly identified. Apart from discussing the findings, a discussion of the implications
and relevance of the findings to the research question has been done alongside thematic
discussion.

4.2.1 Impacts of Detachment on Emotional Wellbeing

The emotional impact caused by detachment is the main theme that describes what foster
parents go through. Detachment comes with overwhelming emotions as including the fact
that foster carers feel very lonely for a long period of time. The onset of detachment leads to
the feeling that they will be gone forever and that they may lack another chance to interact
with their foster clients. Unlike in long-term foster care where people create long lasting
relationships and see progress, short-term foster care means limited time with children and
relationships that begin to form are suddenly stopped. According to Pemberton (2009), it is
always important to take detachment as a turning point both for the children and their carers.
Activities such as counselling need to be offered to help carers cope with anxiety and other
emotional struggles. It is important to note that there are, on the other hand, foster parents
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that have a good coping nature with changes such as detachment and may not be emotionally
affected.

In the UK, short-term foster care is increasingly being used in line with the principles
embodied in the Children Act 1989. Foster parents are devoted to helping children over a
short period possible to ensure they feel loved and wanted in society. While some children
may come out aggressive with demanding parents, foster carers have to be welcoming and
loving to them. Emotional effects of detachment among foster cares in the UK are being
minimized by emphasizing professionalization of foster carer. In this case, foster care has to
be handled as a serious career to limit emotions involved in caring for children. However,
scholars such as Murray, Tarren-Sweeney and France (2011) argue that professionalization
may not be the surest way to deal with the issue. Results from Murray, Tarren-Sweeney and
France (2011) show that the carers often have the knowledge regarding the psychological and
emotional challenges that arise when observing a foster child leaving their care. Gullon
(2015) states, “Foster care would be useless if the foster parents cannot show love to the
children yet the reciprocation of this love makes it very hard for the foster parents to let go.”
Short term foster carers often have to bear the burden of letting go since they are often
allocated children whom they are supposed to take care of within the short period before they
are given a permanent home.

4.2.2 Effects of Detachment on Personality of Carers

In the findings from the work of Whenan, Oxlad and Lushington (2009), it is evident that the
personalities of foster carers are affected in different ways. Every foster parent comes from a
different background and their experiences in life greatly affect their coping capacity of
changing environments. While carers are aware of the programs, different personalities affect
their experience during detachment. In the UK, people have personality disorders such as
borderline and paranoid personality disorders that can be elevated by the detachment process.
Normally, foster parents want to be recognized as important parties in the lives of the
children and to be trusted. However, detachment makes them feel like passive vessels after
proving care and love for children that were victims of neglect and abuse. According to
Whenan, Oxlad and Lushington (2009), most carers are never aware that their personality can
have serious implications on foster children. It is therefore clear that foster carer detachment
in short-term care affects cares as their personalities get out of hand and affect their work.

4.2.3 Ongoing Concern regarding the well-being of the minors

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IMPACT OF FOSTER CARER DETACHMENT

From the findings, Murray, Tarren-Sweeney and France (2011) suggest that as children leave
their foster homes for different reasons, there is constant worry and concern regarding where
they will end up. The fact that they are most likely never to see the children again makes
them significantly uncomfortable. There are instances where foster carers form parent-like
relationships with the children which makes them think about whether the children will be
able to cope in their new community. Carers that provide good quality care for their foster
children tend to be worried about the kind of treatment a child may experience out of the
foster home. When children are brought to their foster homes, their carers are aware of their
previous conditions and experience and they base on that to provide care. However, as
explained by Bywater et al. (2011), there is no apparent assurance that the children will
continue receiving emotional support to deal with the effects of their previous experiences.
Foster carers in short-term foster care have a concern that the time they spend with children is
not sufficient enough to build a straight and socially acceptable character among the children.
This causes uncertainty regarding whether a child might be accepted and loved as they are.

4.2.4 Carers’ Effort Recognition

As discussed earlier under the theme of personality, short-term foster care providers tend to
feel like passive vessels. This is backed up by the theme of a lack of feeling of gratitude and
significance. Most carers tend to remain in the dilemma of asking why they should give their
all in providing care when after a short time children are taken away to environments
unknown to the carers (Collins, Spencer and Ward, 2010). While they work hard to make the
lives of foster children better, the period of weeks or months that they work with the children
may not be of significance in the long run. Some carers create genuine relationships more
than those required by their job description and learning that they have to give it all up
without recognition and gratitude lowers their motivation. Findings further show that carers
are aware that they are the only hope for minors and detachment after a short period without
significant recognition and gratitude for carers’ efforts also affects their motivation.

4.2.5 Relevance and Implications of the Findings on the Research Question

The findings from this research have clear implications to the research question which
involves the investigation of the impact of foster carer detachment on short-term foster care
in the UK. To begin with, the findings shed light on the feelings and thoughts of foster carers
regarding their work and detachment from the children they care for after a term of weeks or
months. The findings have contributed greatly to the understanding that foster care is not only

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a career but an environment where carers create relationships with children (Dozier et al.,
2009). Different researchers and authors have attempted to look into the different implication
of foster care detachment towards carers and this has formed the basis of answering to the
question under research. The findings generally show the challenges that foster carers have to
experience throughout their career (Dozier et al., 2009; Murray, Tarren-Sweeney and France,
2011). The research question focuses on the United Kingdom where it is observed that there
is limited evidence on the existence of efforts to assist foster carers to cope with detachment.
This shows that while there is wide recognition of the situation in the UK, little is being done
to help foster cares to become more accepting of the emotions caused by detachment.

From the findings, there are different themes that explain the experience of care providers in
the period of detachment. These themes enhance a better response to the research question
and a better understanding of the effects of detachment to the foster carer. Themes such as
emotional effects, personality effects, effort recognition and concern about minors’ wellbeing
reflect on the current impact of foster care detachment in the UK. The findings also provide
an idea on the most appropriate way to address the troubles faced by foster carers that may
extend to a better working environment and better motivation (Bywater et al., 2011).
Solutions such as counselling should be enhanced in the UK. In addition, carers could be
allowed to stay in touch with their foster children for a particular amount of time just to know
about their well-being and coping process. This will increase motivation and feeling that their
efforts are recognized as the people that helped foster children at a time when they most
needed someone to listen to them.

4.2.6 Implications for Future Research

There are many gaps in existing literature and research regarding different aspects of foster
care in the UK. For instance, most detailed researches are carried out focusing on the
experience and emotions of children regarding foster care. However, finding work on the
effects of foster care detachment among carers is very limited. Therefore, the findings shed
light on the direction that future research will take. In addition, the findings have indicated
areas where more research is required to be done in order to cover more gaps in the literature.
For instance, findings on emotional and personality effects of detachment do not provide a
detailed account of how carers in the UK feel these effects including their periods of
recovery. There is no indication of what the management of foster homes does to help their
employees stay motivated to accept more children and create good relationships with them. In

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future research, it may be helpful to carry out research ion long-term foster care in order to
compare and contrast the effects of detachment from both perspectives. The idea that carers
experience negative emotions during detachment but continue to treat new children well is a
subject that should be considered in future research (Kirton, 2007). In addition, there will be
more focus on the positive aspects associated with foster care.

Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Conclusion

The study has led to a wide range of findings regarding the effects of detachment from short
term foster care on carers. Carers are mainly affected mentally and emotionally due to the
love and care that they put into changing the lives of children that join care homes. After
creating relationships with children over a period of weeks or months, foster carers
experience difficulties in letting the children go. This is because they believe that they are the
ones that understand the children from their backgrounds and are often uncertain about the
kind of treatment that the children may experience in the outside community. At the time of
detachment, some carers feel like their efforts are not completely recognized and appreciated
even though they know the regulations of their workplace. Depression and personality
problems tend to occur among carers at the time of detachment. In the UK the issue of effects
of foster care detachment among carers has not been well researched and addressed. This
implies that there are no active initiatives or methods to help carers cope with such difficult
situations. Solutions such as counselling have been termed important in helping carers cope
with detachment. In addition, professionalization in the workplace will help reduce emotional
attachment of carers to foster children.

5.2 Limitations of the Study

Carrying out this research was accompanied by a number of limitations. The first and main
limitation was the lack of sufficient previous primary research on the research question. This
led to more reliance on secondary research articles that provided a general idea on the
subject. In addition, there is very limited literature on the research topic that affected the
details of the research. The gaps in literature affected the research process as most articles
and books focused on the effects of foster care detachment on foster children. The research
has a limited scope which restricted the findings to effects detachment on carers in the UK

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alone and this limited comparison with other types of foster parenting. The time factor also
affected the research process as there was limited time to complete the research.

5.3 Recommendations

In order to address the limitations of research, the following aspects may be considered.

 There should be more research done focusing on the influence of foster care
detachment towards carers regarding the time and care they invest in creating a better
future for the children
 More studies should be done focusing on how foster care is carried out in the UK with
more focus on how carers create relationships with children over time.
 A clear outline of how foster homes encourage carers to carry on with their work even
after detachment needs to be provided to cover some of the gaps existing in the
literature.

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IMPACT OF FOSTER CARER DETACHMENT

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