Abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore social workers' perceptions of the effects the foster care system and multiple placements have on the ability of children and youth to create healthy attachments. Face-to-face interviews with 15 social workers employed with the Department of Children and Family Services, Los Angeles County, were conducted to explore their perceptions of attachment in foster children and youth. This study revealed ambiguity from the majority of social workers as to whether the foster care system could promote healthy attachments in foster children and youth. A higher percentage of participants believed the biggest barriers to be an overloaded foster care system, too many people involved in the decision-making process, and a long turn-around time for services. Additionally, social workers perceived that multiple placements had a significant negative effect on foster children and youth that often led to lost peer relationships, a decrease in a child or youth's educational progress, and a lack of motivation to adapt to new environments and therefore limiting any possible attachment to future caregivers. Additional research is needed to further explore the system's effect on attachment outcomes for children and youth in foster care who experience multiple placements.