Conference presentation
What Does It Really Coast to Keep a Child in Foster Care Placement?: A study in the Mackay-Whitsunday region
Enhancing Family Functioning: University of Queensland Family Centre Conference (Brisbane, Australia, 21-Feb-2002–22-Feb-2002)
University of Queensland
2002
Abstract
There is very little current knowledge in relation to the economic costs and benefits of foster care. The fact that decisions are made about care options without comprehensive knowledge in this area has implications, not only for foster carers themselves, but for the children in their care and their parents. In Queensland, foster care is the primary form of alternative care for children and young people in the care of the Department of Families. Essentially, foster care is provided by volunteers, with an "allowance" to provide partial compensation for costs. As a part of the research project based on a partnership between James Cook University at Townsville and the Mackay- Whitsunday region of the Department of Families, an economic cost- benefit analysis of foster care is being undertaken. This paper reports early findings of fixed, variable and opportunity costs within the foster care system. The study has utilised survey methodology with a sample of foster carers in the above region. At this early stage in the research process, it applies a "basket of goods" approach used by other states in Australia in relation to costing the foster care system. At the same time, the paper acknowledges the arguments in relation to other approaches to costing the system. The authors argue that this project is uniquely situated within the policy development processes of the Department of Families and for this reason, is able to contribute to the state wide Child Protection Services System Improvement Project (CPSSIP). This research study can make a contribution to knowledge of the comprehensive costs of foster care, which will in turn add to a fuller debate on this crucial care option for children in state care.
Details
- Title
- What Does It Really Coast to Keep a Child in Foster Care Placement?: A study in the Mackay-Whitsunday region
- Authors
- M Bishop (Author) - Queensland Department of Families, Mackay-Whitsunday RegionJane Thomson (Author) - James Cook University
- Conference details
- Enhancing Family Functioning: University of Queensland Family Centre Conference (Brisbane, Australia, 21-Feb-2002–22-Feb-2002)
- Publisher
- University of Queensland
- Date published
- 2002
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449579502621
- Output Type
- Conference presentation
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