Placement breakdown in foster care with children under-five: A psychoanalytic view of the caregiving relationship under stress

This study explores the interactional processes between a foster carer and a child, aged under-five, who has experienced early abuse and neglect. Data was gathered from semistructured interviews with six foster carers, who had ultimately agreed for the child to be removed from their care. The data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The proposal is that an understanding of psychoanalytic concepts can bring insight to situations which were felt to be unbearable and beyond understanding. The study suggests that knowledge about external reasons for placement breakdown is not enough without a focus on internal factors, and shows how a psychoanalytic perspective can elucidate the processes occurring between child, carer and their family, and the wider system. The focus is on the meaning of behaviour, rather than just descriptions of it, and the impact of the emotional experience of looking after the children. The need for a reflective space and the use of reflective practice is emphasised, as is training for all concerned