This thesis consists of research and clinical components and is submitted as partial fulfilment of a doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology. Volume I, the research component, comprises of a literature review, an empirical paper and a public domain paper. The literature review examines what facilitates the development of a secure relationship between a child and their foster carer. The empirical paper explores the role of the foster carer in promoting successful placements for foster children between the ages of 12 and 18 years old. Lastly, a public domain provides a summary of the empirical paper. Volume II, the clinical component, contains clinical practice reports conducted within placements from adult, child, learning disability older adult specialties. The first report contains a cognitive and psychodynamic formulation of a 51 year-old who was suffering from depression and anxiety after being made redundant. The second report describes an evaluation of the completion risk assessments in three adult inpatient wards. The third report presents a case study of a 13 year old girl who was hearing a voice. The fourth report presents a single case experimental design concerning a behavioural approach to challenging behaviour displayed by a 17-year old with learning disabilities and autism. Finally, the fifth report is an abstract of an oral case presentation of a 63 year old female who was referred to a Psycho-Oncology service due to a fear of cancer recurrence.