Vol. 17, No. 2 • May 2013

Child Well-Being and Placement "Fit"

by John McMahon

The "fit" between a young person in foster care and the family they are placed with can have a profound impact on the child's well-being. Placed with the right family, children can see reductions in unwanted symptoms and dramatic improvements in their relationships, behaviors, learning, and other areas.

Yet when the fit is poor, instead of helping the child recover from past traumas, the placement can become an additional trauma for the child, one that is often followed by the turmoil of another move.

Agencies go to great lengths to ensure children in foster care are placed with compatible families who can meet their needs. Whenever possible they carefully consider the child's needs and the strengths and unique traits of foster families before making a placement call. They know fit matters.

An Important Decision
Resource families have tremendous control over the fit of foster care placements. Once your agency calls to talk about placing a child in your home, only you can say whether the child is an appropriate match for you and your family.

Here are some suggestions to help you make the right decision when you get that call.

Before the Call
On an ongoing basis, reflect on the 12 skills taught in MAPP/GPS. How would you assess where you and your family are right now? What child needs can you meet? Which will you not be able to meet?

Be clear in your mind about what you bring to the table as a foster parent. Take a strengths-based inventory of what you offer--what positive things will the child experience by being in your home?

When the Phone Rings
Listen carefully. Ask as many questions of the social worker as you need to.

During the initial call it can be difficult to think of all the questions you should ask about a child. The questions in the box at right may be a helpful starting place for things to consider asking about.

After the Call
Talk about the potential placement with your family members before making a decision. Key questions to consider include:

  • Is your family under any unusual stress due to change in any major area, e.g., moving, death in the family, marital problems, financial or work difficulties?
  • Would the addition of a child to your home threaten the stability of your family at this time?

Pre-Placement Visits
When a child's placement can be planned in advance, sometimes pre-placement visits can be arranged. This gives you and the child an opportunity to meet. Pre-placement visits can reduce everyone's anxiety about the unknown and allow you to prepare for the child's arrival.

Unfortunately, the child's need for placement is often immediate and there isn't an opportunity for a pre-placement visit (Massachusetts Dept. of Social Services, 2003).

Making a Good Match:
Questions to Ask Before Placement


Suggested by a group of experienced foster parents, the following questions are intended to be a starting place as you consider providing care for children in DSS custody.

  • What are the child's interests or hobbies?
  • Why is the child being placed? What has the child been told is the reason for this move?
  • What is the plan for visits with family members or siblings?
  • Does the child have ample clothing that's the right size and seasonally appropriate?
  • What important behaviors or fears does the child demonstrate?
  • Does the child have any special needs?
  • Is the child involved in extracurricular activities?
  • Does the child have medical needs I should know about? Allergies?
  • Do birth parents have any medical condition that directly impacts the child?
  • Do birth parents have a history of violence? In what city or town do they live?
  • How many prior placements has this child had? Name and phone number of previous foster parent.
  • Who will provide transportation?
  • Tell me about the child's school. Does the child have an IEP?
  • How does the child treat/react to animals?
  • Does the child have issues with alcohol/drugs?
  • Does the child have a history of fire setting? Reactive sexual or assaultive behavior? Stealing? Delinquent behavior?
  • Does the child have problems related to toileting, encopresis, or enuresis?
  • What about religious affiliation?
  • If child is an infant, did he/she have a positive toxic screen?

Adapted from Massachusetts Dept. of Social Services, 2003

To view references cited in this and other articles in this issue, click here.

~ Family and Children's Resource Program, UNC-CH School of Social Work ~