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Reunification in a complete entry cohort: a longitudinal study of children entering out-of-home care in Tasmania, Australia
- Authors:
- DELFABBRO Paul, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Youth Services Review, 35(9), 2013, p.592–1600.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
The aim of this study was to examine the nature and predictors of family reunification patterns in Australia. Using a large representative sample, this study extends previous studies based on older, often smaller samples and encompasses a period in which kinship care comprised a substantial proportion of out-of-home care placements. Analyses were based on a sample of 468 children who entered care for the first time in the State of Tasmania between January the 1st 2006 and December 31st 2007. Administrative data and case-worker interviews were used to obtain information concerning children's demographics, family backgrounds and placement movements over 2–4 years. The results showed that around 50% of children had gone home after 2 years, but that 79% of returns occurred in the first 6 months. Reunification was slower for younger children, those in kinship care, and amongst children from families affected by poverty, substance abuse and for a cluster children with the highest prevalence family risk factors. The study contributes to international knowledge concerning the importance of assessing the multiplicity of risk factors in family reunification research and the implications of kinship care for the increased stability, but higher retention, of children in out-of-home care. (Publisher abstract)
The over-representation of young Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people in the South Australian child system: a longitudinal analysis
- Authors:
- DELFABBRO Paul, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Youth Services Review, 32(10), October 2010, pp.1418-1425.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Minority or indigenous children tend to be significantly over-represented in child welfare statistics, and this is particularly true in Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) children in the Australian child-welfare system. This paper summarises the longitudinal and comparative analysis of data relating to children receiving their first notification in 1991 as well as comparisons with children born in 1998 and 2002. The findings indicate that ATSI children's involvement in the child welfare system is even higher when examined longitudinally. Over 50% of ATSI children born in 1991 had contact with this system by the age of 16 and this figure was already exceeded for 4 year olds in the 2002 cohort. ATSI children were found to be more likely to receive more serious notifications and to have their abuse substantiated. The results are examined relative to recent studies of disproportionality and disparity in the treatment of minority children by the Australian child welfare system.
The social and family backgrounds of infants in South Australian out-of-home care 2000–2005: predictors of subsequent abuse notifications
- Authors:
- DELFABBRO Paul, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Youth Services Review, 31(2), February 2009, pp.219-226.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
The study examined the social and familial characteristics of 498 infants entering South Australian out-of-home care between 2000 and 2004 (n = 225 entered only for respite, n = 273 for other formal placements). Analyses focused on the extent to which background characteristics, most notably a history of prior abuse, was able to predict subsequent child abuse notifications once children has exited care. The results showed that most children entered care due to a clustering of significant background problems, including poverty, domestic violence, physical abuse, substance misuse, and neglect. Around 50% of infants were returned to homes where there were subsequent notifications of abuse. Logistic regression modelling conducted separately for respite only and those formally entering care showed that prior abuse was a reliable predictor of ongoing abuse notifications in both samples. In some models, prior abuse yielded a very high probability (> 60%) of some ongoing notifications suggesting that these statistical models could be used to enhance risk assessments conducted prior to reunification decision-making in South Australia.
The psychosocial functioning and family background of children experiencing significant placement instability in Australian out-of-home care
- Authors:
- OSBORN Alexandra L., DELFABBRO Paul, BARBER James G.
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Youth Services Review, 30(8), August 2008, pp.847-860.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
This paper profiles the family and social background, and psychosocial wellbeing of 364 children (Mean age = 12.9 years) with a high level of placement instability in Australian out-of-home care. Children were selected based on reliable predictors of instability and detailed interviews were conducted with case-workers, along with extensive case-file readings. The children in this population were found to originate from families that share many risk factors. In most cases, a family history of domestic violence, physical abuse, and parental substance abuse dominated over a history of sexual abuse and neglect. Based on the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), over 75% of children were found to have clinical level conduct disorder, two-thirds have peer problems, and around a half are clinically anxious or depressed. The results provided some evidence that children with the poorest overall psychosocial adjustment were most prone to placement breakdowns, but there was no clear relationship between the overall number of family background problems and the level of placement instability. However, individual risk factors, including a history of family violence and abuse were related to more disrupted placement histories for children in care.
Children's adjustment to long-term foster care
- Authors:
- BARBER James, DELFABBRO Paul
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Youth Services Review, 27(3), March 2005, pp.329-340.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
The psychosocial adjustment of children to long-term foster care was investigated in two studies. The first study tracked 235 children over 2 years and obtained repeated measures of foster child well-being, while the second study employed semistructured interviewing to obtain consumer feedback of 48 children in the care system. Taken together, results suggested that children adjust well to long-term foster care as reflected by the overall positive developmental trajectory in standardized measures of psychological adjustment and by the generally very positive feedback of the children interviewed.
Children entering out-of-home care in South Australia: baseline analyses for a 3-year longitudinal study
- Authors:
- DELFABBRO Paul, BARBER James G., COOPER Lesley
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Youth Services Review, 24(12), December 2002, pp.917-932.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
This study examined the characteristics of 235 children (aged 4-17 years) placed into out-of-home care in South Australia during 1998-1999. Overall, the results were consistent with previous studies conducted in North America and the United Kingdom, and showed that children could be separated into two broad clusters. These were: Adolescents placed on longer-term orders with unstable placement histories and with a higher incidence of mental health and behavioural problems;and Younger children placed on the shorter term orders as a result of parental incapacity, abuse or neglect. Placement type, expected duration and the type of legal order were significantly predicted by a number of child characteristics including age, gender and the reason for referral.