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ABSTRACT This scoping review explores the motivations of individuals and families from industrialized Western countries who foster or adopt a non‐biological child living with a disability. It addresses the global challenge of a shortage of foster carers, particularly for the overrepresented population of children with disabilities. Understanding these motivations is crucial for enhancing foster carer recruitment, support and retention within the child welfare system. A scoping review methodology was used, involving a comprehensive search of key databases for peer‐reviewed articles in English, published between 2000 and 2025. The focus was on non‐biological carers in formal and informal arrangements caring for children meeting the United Nations' definition of disability. Twelve articles met the final inclusion criteria, and their analysis revealed key themes regarding the motivations of these carers. The themes identified were as follows: (1) altruistic concern for vulnerable children, (2) enduring commitment to disability‐related caregiving, (3) personal values and belief systems and (4) perceived mutual benefit and family enrichment. This review highlights the diverse motivations underpinning the decision to foster or adopt children with disabilities. The findings have implications for tailoring recruitment (e.g., strength‐based messaging) and support strategies (e.g., respite planning) to improve care quality and stability.
Sherring et al. (Mon,) studied this question.