Ending Care Relationships: Carer Perspectives on Managing ‘Endings’ within a Part-Time Fostering Service

Abstract

Limited attention has been paid to endings in social care in either literary discussion or empirical research. Louise Roberts explores this topic in relation to Support Care, a family preservation service aimed at those ‘in need’ and undergoing particularly stressful periods. The service is a development of traditional respite breaks for disabled children, providing children (not exclusive to those with disabilities) with a series of short breaks in carers' homes, while parents attempt to resolve difficulties. Typically the service spans a six- to nine-month period. Semi-structured interviews were completed with nine carers within one local authority area. They revealed differing views, experience and practice with regard to ending relationships. Despite the part-time, time-limited nature of the service, close relationships often developed with the result that endings were often emotionally challenging for both carers and children. Well-managed endings are associated with maintaining future progress and the emotional well-being of service users. This contrasts with carers' descriptions of a detached bureaucratic ‘system’ which can dictate the conclusion of relationships suddenly and abruptly. It is suggested that the subject of social care endings deserves increased practice and academic attention.