Abstract
This study sought social workers' views on the mental health needs of a sample of foster children. Out of the sample 80% of the children were considered to require treatment from a child mental health professional but only 27% had received any input. The reasons given for not referring for treatment were placement instability, inadequate child mental health resources and insufficient local authority funding. The provision of consultation services to allocated social workers and the availability of child mental health professionals at local authority reviews should be considered.
Highlights
Children and a belief that there needs to be more joint planning between social services and health deTpharistmsetnutdsyo. cial workers' views about the mental health of a clinical sample of foster children and determined whether the wcheirledrernefejurrdegdedfotro threaavtememnte.ntaSl ochieaallthwonrkeeerdss'
These unmet needs of foster children are relevant to child mental health professionals because of the increased prevalence of emotional and beha vioural difficulties in this group compared to the general population (Rushton et al, 1988; Wolkind & Rushton, 1994; McCann et al 1996)
The inclusion criteria were that the child was still in care at the time of follow-up and the social worker was allocated to the child cur rently
Summary
This study sought social workers' views on the mental health needs of a sample of foster children. Children in foster care are at high risk of experiencing a variety of difficulties, there has been long-standing con cern that many do not receive the help they require (Kurtz et al 1994) These unmet needs of foster children are relevant to child mental health professionals because of the increased prevalence of emotional and beha vioural difficulties in this group compared to the general population (Rushton et al, 1988; Wolkind & Rushton, 1994; McCann et al 1996). As a consequence of professional concern about the difficulties experienced by this group of children, the Department of Health has advised tchheild'csomneperedhsenastivreegualsasresisnmteernvtals of(Dtehpeartfmosetnetr of Health, 1995) These reviews should include the assessment of emotional and beha vioural well-being, they are completed by social workers and there is no requirement for other professionals to be involved. There is a growing concern about the lack of involvement of health services in planning for
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