How Does Foster Care Work? is an international collection of empirical studies on the outcomes of children in foster care. Drawing on research and perspectives from leading international figures in child welfare across the developed world, the book provides an evidence base for programme planning, policy and practice. This volume compares international systems, trends and outcomes in foster care today. Each chapter concludes with a critical commentary by one of the contributors, bringing a cross-national perspective to the issues affecting children and young people in care. The book offers new ideas about how foster care could be delivered in order to become more effective. This book is important reading for anyone involved in delivering child welfare services, such as administrators, practitioners, researchers, policy makers, children's advocates, academics and students. This authoritative series draws from original research and current policy debates to help social work managers, policy makers and researchers to understand and improve the outcomes of services for children and young people in need. Taking an evidence-based approach, these books include children's experiences and analysis of costs and effectiveness in their assessment of interventions, and provide guidance on how to develop more effective policy, practice, and training.