Current research clearly suggests that it is usually best for children to live in a family that has the same racial, ethnic, cultural and religious background. Carers with a similar background to the child are better placed to help the child understand their racial history, provide for their particular needs and help them to develop a positive sense of themselves.
You will need to think very carefully before placing your child with a foster carer whose ethnic origin is different from that of your child.
The law says that when assessing a child’s welfare, the Children and Young People's Service has to consider whether their religious, racial, cultural and language needs are being met. This will be an important part of the social worker’s assessment of the suitability of the placement for black and minority ethnic children who it is proposed will be cared for in a white family.
