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Matching children with foster carers: A literature review

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  • Zeijlmans, Kirti
  • López, Mónica
  • Grietens, Hans
  • Knorth, Erik J.

Abstract

Matching in family foster care is a form of complex decision-making influenced by more than case factors alone. Organizational, contextual, and decision-maker factors also contribute to the process. This scoping review has synthesized the empirical literature on matching decisions in family foster care. The 12 included studies reveal that a diverse, broad range of case factors is considered during matching. Organizational factors can limit practitioners' ability to choose a desired placement. Furthermore, policy-related influences affect matching practices, as do personal viewpoints of decision-makers. We conclude that matching in foster care is a very complex process. Two interrelated topics can guide future research: outcomes (knowledge of case factors when making matching decisions) and processes (understanding the different organizational, decision-maker, and external influences that might hinder or promote good matching practice). Bringing both together in one comprehensive model could help to improve matching practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Zeijlmans, Kirti & López, Mónica & Grietens, Hans & Knorth, Erik J., 2017. "Matching children with foster carers: A literature review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 257-265.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:73:y:2017:i:c:p:257-265
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2016.12.017
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Oosterman, Mirjam & Schuengel, Carlo & Wim Slot, N. & Bullens, Ruud A.R. & Doreleijers, Theo A.H., 2007. "Disruptions in foster care: A review and meta-analysis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(1), pages 53-76, January.
    2. Gambrill, Eileen D., 2005. "Decision making in child welfare: Errors and their context," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(4), pages 347-352, April.
    3. Jayaratne, Srinika & Faller, Kathleen Coulborn & Ortega, Robert M. & Vandervort, Frank, 2008. "African American and white child welfare workers' attitudes towards policies involving race and sexual orientation," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(8), pages 955-966, August.
    4. Meiksans, Jenna & Iannos, Marie & Arney, Fiona, 2015. "Factors influencing decision making about the placement of children in care: Development of the Child Placement Questionnaire," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 71-83.
    5. Edward A. Fox & Sheila G. Winett, 1990. "Using vector and extended Boolean matching in an expert system for selecting foster homes," Journal of the American Society for Information Science, Association for Information Science & Technology, vol. 41(1), pages 10-26, January.
    6. Beeman, Sandra K. & Kim, Hyungmo & Bullerdick, Susan K., 2000. "Factors affecting placement of children in kinship and nonkinship foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 22(1), pages 37-54, January.
    7. Lipshitz, Raanan & Strauss, Orna, 1997. "Coping with Uncertainty: A Naturalistic Decision-Making Analysis," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 69(2), pages 149-163, February.
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    1. Orme, John G. & Cherry, Donna J. & Brown, Jason D., 2017. "Against all odds: Vital Few foster families," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 584-593.
    2. Montserrat, Carme & Llosada-Gistau, Joan & Fuentes-Peláez, Nuria, 2020. "Child, family and system variables associated to breakdowns in family foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    3. Navarro-Pérez, José-Javier & Samper, Paula & Sancho, Patricia & Georgieva, Sylvia & Carbonell, Ángela & Mestre, Maria-Vicenta, 2023. "Development and content validation of a comprehensive tool for assessing risk and protective factors in children and adolescents: The ACRAM," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    4. Van Holen, Frank & Geys, Lynn & West, Delphine & Gypen, Laura & Vanderfaeillie, Johan, 2019. "Characteristics of successful foster families according to Flemish foster care workers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    5. Haysom, Zoë & McKibbin, Gemma & Shlonsky, Aron & Hamilton, Bridget, 2020. "Changing considerations of matching foster carers and children: A scoping review of the research and evidence," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).

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