The human rights and responsibilities of foster and residential carers

Abstract

When working with children being looked after away from their homes a focus on human rights is essential. These children have often had their rights compromised in the most fundamental of ways. The needs and rights of the children can however mask the rights of their carers – rights which can be severely compromised when working with distressed and difficult children. It is necessary therefore to set up services which protect carers. Good support is a critical component of such services, and foster carers were asked their opinion concerning the rights, responsibilities and needs of both carers and children. Such information can guide the delivery of services set up to support carers. This article describes one such inter-agency service.