Joining New Families is based on a research study which followed 61 children who were placed, between 5 and 9 years old, with adoptive or permanent foster families. Most of the children had previously been maltreated. The study focused on the problems and strengths that these children brought to their new families; how the new families coped; and the factors associated with the placements becoming stable and secure. The authors provide a detailed presentation of the findings from this unique study and highlight the implications for policy and practice. Key factors examined include
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Whose view counts when we decide what "support" to offer or what qualifies as "success"? What kind of support do parents prefer? And can we assume that all parents, by virtue of parents, want the same kind of support? These important questions are discussed in Supporting Parents: Messages from Research. Author David Quinton is professor of psychosocial development at Bristol university's school for policy studies. His report reviews the results of 14 very different research projects selected in 1994 as part of the then government's contribution to International Year of the Family. This...