The following section provides information for foster parents about working with birth parents to support their relationship with their children, and for birth families seeking support.
Birth Families
Videos
Foster parents talk about working with birth parents.
Articles & PDFs
From the publication Fostering Perspectives (US)
http://fosteringperspectives.org/fpv13n1/foster.htm or use this link Building a Positive Relationship With Birth Parents
This link presents a complete issue of the magazine Building Relationships With Foster Parents (PDF - 480 KB) Rise (13), Summer 2009
The following article serves as a companion piece to a 23-minute video offering insight into the challenges foster parents face Foster Parents Speak: Crossing Bridges and Fostering Change: Discussion and Resource Guide (PDF - 78 KB).
You can also visit the website for a video clip and list of printable resources.
The Annie E. Casey foundation website provides resources for increasing positive working relationships between child welfare professionals, birth parents, and foster parents. Resources for Holding Icebreaker Meetings Between Birth and Foster Parents
Books & PDFs
From Clarecare, for birth parents:
Families with Children in Care: A guide to your rights if your child is in care
https://www.clarecare.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Families-with-Kids-in-Care-A-guide-to-your-rights2.pdf
Listening to our voices
https://www.clarecare.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Listening-to-our-voices.pdf
CorumBAAF is a UK publisher of resources to do with fostering. Useful books for foster parents include:
Dennis Duckling by Paul Sambrooks, designed with accompanying notes.
The following book provides resources specific to transracial, transcultural, kinship and foster care adoptions:
Telling the Truth to Your Adopted or Foster Child by Betsy Keefer and Jayne Schooler
Organisations & Websites
http://fosteringperspectives.org
Clare Care
https://www.clarecare.ie/services/family-support-services/advocacy-service-parents-children-care/