When carers end foster placements : exploring foster carers’ experience of adolescent foster placement breakdown

Aims: Foster carers experience the rewards and challenges of parenting vulnerable and complex adolescents, but some of these foster placements break down. Compared to research into the impact of placement breakdown on looked after children (LAC), there are relatively limited reports on foster carer experience. The aim of the present study was to provide an exploratory account of foster carers’ lived experience of ending adolescent foster placements. Methods. Nine participants from seven foster families in the United Kingdom were recruited. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analysed within an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) framework. Results. Exploration of foster carer lived experience identified four superordinate themes, two of which are relevant here: ‘emotional aftermath’ and ‘“we’re only human’”. Conclusions. Following ending a placement, foster carers identified varied emotions including joy, relief and sadness. A grieving process was also identified which involved coming to terms with loss and accepting the termination of the relationship. This study suggests foster carers are likely to experience shame and guilt as a consequence of placement breakdown