research in practice

This review describes important initiatives in fostering practice and innovative fostering schemes. It also examines the way these contribute to what we know about good and effective fostering practice, by placing them in the context of findings from major research studies. The review was undertaken by the researchers making targeted contact with fostering agencies and other appropriate national and local organisations for a limited time scale (from January to March 2003). They sought examples of good and innovative fostering practice. These practice examples were then 'filtered' by researchers in two ways: (i) their relevance in respect of six, pre-determined, key areas. (ii) in respect of the research evidence about what is known to be effective.