Articles

Why do foster care placements break down? A study on factors influencing foster care placement breakdown in Flanders

Authors

  • Johan Vanderfaeillie Vrije Universiteit Brussel
  • Frank Van Holen
  • Sofie Coussens Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Keywords:

foster care, breakdown, outcome

Abstract

Foster care placements frequently break down. Breakdown is associated with several undesirable outcomes for the foster child, the foster parents and the child welfare system. little is known about breakdown in Flanders. This article presents the results of a study into the prevalence of breakdown and related factors. Data on 100 foster care case files from all over Flanders were analysed. Over a period of 6 to 7 years 57% of the foster placements broke down. Older children with behavioural problems were more at risk for breakdown.

Author Biographies

Johan Vanderfaeillie, Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Faculty of Psychology and Education, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium.

Frank Van Holen

Director Opvang v.z.w. afdeling Brabant-Limburg, Brussel, Belgium.

Sofie Coussens, Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Departement of Orthopsychology, Faculty of Psychology en Educational Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium.

IJCFW 2008 2-3

Published

2008-09-01

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 2-3 (2008)

Section

Articles