Children have a much higher chance of permanently leaving care if they have strong family and peer group links outside their care home. Reflecting current political and policy priorities, Residential Child Care focuses on new developments designed to promote these family and network relationships. The book examines both care policies and individual schemes which involve families and other network members in the planning and care of children looked after in residential units or children's homes. The book provides guidelines on how to broaden the focus of residential care from staff-children relationships within the institution to more diffuse social networks of family and peers and outlines the principles which underpin the new emphasis on external social contacts.

Including examples of innovatory ideas and good practice from abroad, Residential Child Care shows why encouraging families to maintain an active role in the welfare of their children in care is so important, and explores the implications for child welfare systems as well as individual establishments, managers and practitioners.