Placement stability and inclusive practice in foster care: An empirical study

This study analyzes the placement experiences of 184 children in four Ontario (Canada) Children's Aid Societies. The research is based on theories of attachment and development regarding the importance of family relationships, as applied to children in out-of-home care. It provides an empirical test of this theory, by seeking for links between inclusive practice and placement stability. Inclusive practice was defined as treating parents as an important part of their children's lives, e.g. involving parents in the placement process and helping children with their feelings about living apart from their families. These practices, and other relevant variables, were measured at the outset, then children's placement changes were tracked for the following eighteen months. A significant percentage of variability in placement stability was accounted for by two conditions: the children's behavior and the involvement of their parents in preparing them for placement.