By the 1960s two previously unforeseen types of foster-care was clearly emerging. There were short-term cases where the parent/s needed time to get on their feet again or there was the long-term, for those unable to return home yet not wanted for adoption, most grew up in care, moving from one short- term home to another, with periodic stays in institutions. Adoption became biased towards white infants, while older children and ethnic minorities were far more likely to remain in institutions and sporadic foster care placements.
The Childrens and Young Persons Act of 1963 was a direct attempt to stem the unhappy flow of those entering long-term state care by re-emphasising the importance of doing everything to keep the family together. Yet this had significant pitfalls as occasionally children and young people were returned home to abusive/neglectful environments. More frequently those returned or at risk were often without inadequate supervision and the appropriate authorities not made aware of their circumstances, so as they could notify social services should any abnormalities arise. This was a much acknowledged problem within the field of social care and highlighted publicly by the Maria Colwell case, and sadly several others since. Although cases such as Colwells are credited as being the motivating factor in changing legislation, they are, in most cases examples of a professionally understood problem which is already being looked into.
