Helping children who are “hard to help”

Meeting the attachment needs of children living in long term foster care

Abstract

Explores the emotional needs of children living within long-term foster care. Describes attachment theory as a useful way to understand the children. Argues that interventions derived from the theory can provide means of increasing the therapeutic value of the foster placement. The article follows the course of working with one composite child, drawn from a number of children that the author has worked with, to illustrate the issues discussed.