Children in Foster Care with Challenging Behaviour in Wales (UK): Key Themes and Issues for Practice and Research

Abstract

Foster care in Wales (United Kingdom) engages frequently with children thought to present with challenging behaviour. It is essential we gain a deeper understanding of their behaviour in order to inform our thinking about how we provide support to children and carers. The paper presents key findings from research into a total population of fostered children in four neighbouring local authorities in South Wales who were considered to exhibit challenging behaviour. We examine children's characteristics and key processes in fostering and in doing so, we outline the very different behaviours and difficulties associated with these children as perceived by carers. We conclude with some reflection on the term challenging behaviour and its sufficiency to account for difficulties in foster placements.