There are carers, and then there are carers who actually care; Conceptualizations of care among looked after children and care leavers, social workers and carers.
Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Medical Faculty, Baddiley-Clark Building, Richardson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4AX, UK. Electronic address: [Email]
Looked after children and care leavers (LACCL) are some of the most vulnerable and marginalized young people in our communities. Existing research demonstrates that this group often interprets care in terms of genuineness and tends to feel uncared for. Less work exists from the perspective of social workers and formal carers.