Recognition of the emotional and behavioural difficulties experienced by looked after children and the impact of these, on both the children and young people and those caring for them, has been increasing. Child and adolescent mental health services have been trying to find better ways of meeting the needs of these children. Kay Sargent and Kate O'Brien draw on an evaluation of a joint social services and health authority project set up to support carers and professionals responsible for children in foster placements. They also seek to give foster carers' perspectives on their foster children's difficulties and the services offered and discuss the issues and implications arising from an indirect approach to providing this support.
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