BJSW Advance Access originally published online on March 13, 2006
British Journal of Social Work 2007 37(2):209-224; doi:10.1093/bjsw/bcl012
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The Regulation of Out-of-Home Care
Clare Tilbury (BSocWk, MPhil, Ph.D.) is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Human Services at Griffith University in Australia.
Correspondence to Clare Tilbury, School of Human Services, Logan Campus, Griffith University, University Drive, Meadowbrook, QLD 4131, Australia. E-mail: c.tilbury{at}griffith.edu.au
The regulation of out-of-home care in Australia has become increasingly formalized and detailed, partly driven by a recent wave of audits of abuse in foster-care. The emergence and possible consequences of this increased regulation are examined, with a particular focus on relative care. A pluralistdemocratic approach to accountability would involve a regulatory regime linked to other quality strategies, with the emphasis on improved quality and outcomes rather than compliance with policy and procedures. The concentration on expanding the regulatory regime is contrasted with more limited efforts to improve carer supportan essential ingredient of an effective foster-care system.
Keywords: regulation, accountability, foster-care