Search results for ‘Subject term:"foster care"’ Sort:
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Maltreatment in foster care: a review of the evidence
- Author:
- BIEHAL Nina
- Journal article citation:
- Child Abuse Review, 23(1), 2014, pp.48-60.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This article examines the evidence on maltreatment in foster care, drawing on a critical review of research published in the USA, the UK and Australia. Few studies have reported on the extent of maltreatment in this setting and the evidence that does exist is inconclusive. The limited available evidence suggests that maltreatment may be reported for up to two per cent of children in foster care in any one year, but much depends on the definitions used and on local variation in thresholds for investigation. The article discusses the perpetrators and nature of this maltreatment and problems with substantiation, and highlights important gaps in the existing research. (Publisher abstract)
Intensive fostering: an independent evaluation of MTFC in an English setting
- Authors:
- BIEHAL Nina, ELLISON Sarah, SINCLAIR Ian
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Youth Services Review, 33(10), October 2011, pp.2043-2049.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
This paper presents the results of an independent evaluation of the Multi-dimensional Treatment Foster Care (MTFC) programme for young offenders. MTFC is a community-based intervention which differs from routine foster care in that it offers treatment as well as substitute care. It was piloted in 3 areas in England where it was known as Intensive Fostering (IF). A quasi-experimental, mixed methods study was carried out at the 3 pilot sites to compare the outcomes for 47 serious and persistent offenders. The young people sentenced to IF were compared to a matched group, the majority of whom were sentenced to custody. Official data on reconviction for the IF group were measured one year after the date of entry to the IF placement (stage 1) and 1 year after the date of exit from the IF placement (stage 2). For the comparison group, data was collected 1 year after exit from custody (stage 1). The findings showed that at stage 1 the IF group were less likely to be reconvicted, had committed fewer and less serious recorded offences, and took longer to commit their first recorded offence. At this point, the IF group were more likely to be living with their families and less likely to be in custody. However, by stage 2 no significant differences in patterns of reconviction remained. The article concludes that IF successfully contained a high-risk group in the community, but the effects of the intervention washed out once they left their foster placements.
Maltreatment and allegations of maltreatment in foster care: a review of the evidence
- Authors:
- BIEHAL Nina, PARRY Elizabeth
- Publisher:
- University of York. Social Policy Research Unit
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 52p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- York
Allegations of maltreatment in foster care are profoundly upsetting for the foster carers concerned and often lead to the removal of children from their care. Unfounded allegations therefore create immense stress for both carers and children. They also have serious consequences for services, as they may lead some carers to give up fostering, thus reducing the already limited supply of foster carers. In cases where such allegations are substantiated, the implications are even more serious. This review discusses the available evidence on allegations of abuse and neglect by foster carers and confirmed maltreatment in foster care. Key findings showed that evidence on the incidence and prevalence both of allegations and substantiated maltreatment is limited and sometimes conflicting. Much of the evidence comes from the different welfare context of the USA, so research findings cannot be directly extrapolated to the UK. Only two UK studies have reported on the annual incidence of allegations and confirmed maltreatment. These found that 3.5 to 4% of foster carers were the subject of allegations in a single year and that the proportion of foster families with substantiated reports of maltreatment during that year was less than 1%.
Maltreatment and allegations of maltreatment in foster care: a review of the research: summary
- Authors:
- BIEHAL Nina, PARRY Elizabeth
- Publisher:
- University of York. Social Policy Research Unit
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- York
Allegations of maltreatment in foster care are profoundly upsetting for the foster carers concerned and often lead to the removal of children from their care. Unfounded allegations therefore create immense stress for both carers and children. They also have serious consequences for services, as they may lead some carers to give up fostering, thus reducing the already limited supply of foster carers. In cases where such allegations are substantiated, the implications are even more serious. This review discusses the available evidence on allegations of abuse and neglect by foster carers and confirmed maltreatment in foster care. Key findings showed that evidence on the incidence and prevalence both of allegations and substantiated maltreatment is limited and sometimes conflicting. Much of the evidence comes from the different welfare context of the USA, so research findings cannot be directly extrapolated to the UK. Only two UK studies have reported on the annual incidence of allegations and confirmed maltreatment. These found that 3.5-4% of foster carers were the subject of allegations in a single year and that the proportion of foster families with substantiated reports of maltreatment during that year was less than 1%.
A report on the intensive fostering pilot programme
- Authors:
- BIEHAL Nina, et al
- Publisher:
- Youth Justice Board for England and Wales
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 36p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This study examines the experiences and outcomes of the first participants in the Intensive Fostering programme in England and compares them with the outcomes of a comparison group who were sentenced to custody or an Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme (ISSP). It also compares the cost of Intensive Fostering placements with custodial placements and assesses the cost of services used. This study draws on information provided by the Intensive Fostering teams and carers, and the views of young people and their parents. Key findings showed that, despite some of the initial administrative challenges, one of the major achievements of the IF teams was their success in reintegrating many of the young people into education, despite the fact that many had previously become detached from school through truancy and/or exclusion. The IF group were far more likely to be in education or training one year after entering their placements (70%), than members of the comparison group who were living in the community at that point (30%).
Going missing from residential and foster care: linking biographies and contexts
- Authors:
- BIEHAL Nina, WADE Jim
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 30(2), April 2000, pp.211-225.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The findings discusses in this article from a department of health funded study into young people who go missing from foster and residential placements. The authors found going missing to be widespread phenomenon especially, though not exclusively, in residential care. The risks encountered by young people included involvement in offending, substance misuse, rough sleeping and sexual exploitation, including prostitution. The motivations that prompt young people to go missing are also discussed and the balance between individual and environmental factors in explaining this phenomenon is explored.
Intensive fostering: an independent evaluation of MTFC in an English setting
- Authors:
- BIEHAL Nina, ELLISON Sarah, SINCLAIR Ian
- Journal article citation:
- Adoption and Fostering, 36(1), Spring 2012, pp.13-26.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This paper present the results of an independent evaluation of the Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care programme for young offenders in England, where it is known as Intensive Fostering (IF). A study was carried out at three pilot sites, with a total sample of 47 young people sentenced to IF, and were compared to a similar group who were sentenced to custody. Official data on reconviction were collected at baseline and one year after entry to the IF placement or release from custody (Stage 1), and further data on programme completion and secondary outcomes were collected via interviews with young people and parents, and questionnaires to professionals at baseline and follow-up. Official data on reconviction were also collected one year after exit from the IF placements (Stage 2). At Stage 1 the IF group were less likely to be reconvicted, had committed fewer and less serious recorded offences, and took longer to commit their first recorded offence. At this point, the IF group were more likely to be living with their families and less likely to be in custody than the comparison group. However, by Stage 2 no significant differences in patterns of reconviction remained. The authors concluded that environmental effects on entry to and exit from the IF placements may explain the results at both stages.
The care placements evaluation (CaPE) evaluation of multidimensional treatment foster care for adolescents (MTFC-A)
- Authors:
- BIEHAL Nina, et al
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Department for Education
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 9p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This study evaluated the effectiveness of Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care for Adolescents (MTFC-A), an evidence-based form of fostering for looked after children aged 11-16 years with complex needs. MTFC-A provides older children with a short-term foster placement, usually intended to last around a year, followed by a short period of aftercare to support the transition to a new placement or return home. MTFC-A was implemented by 18 English local authorities. The aim of this study was to investigate whether placement in MTFC-A results in improved outcomes, relative to the usual care placements, and which children are most likely to benefit from it. The study participants were 219 young people; 106 in the MTFC-A sample, and 113 in the control group who underwent usual care. The young people were assessed at 3 timepoints: at baseline, 3 months into the placement and 1 year post-baseline. The assessment involved a global measure of general social functioning together with a range of secondary measures including participation in education and recorded offending. The findings showed no significant overall additional benefit of MTFC-A for the young people compared to being in a usual care placement. However there was evidence that those most impaired with antisocial behaviour improved relatively more in MTFC-A than in usual care.
Belonging and permanence: outcomes in long-term foster care and adoption
- Authors:
- BIEHAL Nina, et al
- Publisher:
- British Association for Adoption and Fostering
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 305p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
This research examines permanent placement options for children and provides new evidence on outcomes and experiences. Concern about the number of children who remain looked after long term has increased the number of adoptions from care. However as this is not appropriate for all children unable to return home, there has also been a greater focus on other types of permanent placement. This study looks at the different options that may be able to provide both permanence and positive outcomes for children. Three types of permanent placement; adoption by strangers, adoption by carers and long-term foster care were compared. The discussion considers how best to meet the needs of children who cannot safely be reunited with their parents and how to provide emotional and legal security, a sense of permanence and positive outcomes. The different pathways that children follow through, and sometimes out of, care are explored. The authors consider a range of outcomes; compare placement stability and the emotional, behavioural and relationship difficulties of children in each type of placement; their participation and progress in education and the nature of their contact with birth families.
Looking back, looking forward: care leavers, families and change
- Authors:
- BIEHAL Nina, WADE Jim
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Youth Services Review, 18(4/5), 1996, pp.425-445.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Draws on the findings of a four year study of leaving care services carried by the University of Leeds and funded by the Department of Health. It examines patterns of family contact for care leavers and the quality of their relationships with their families. It considers the continuing informal support that both biological and substitute families can offer to care leavers. The new families that many care leavers create through early parenthood and the continuing support needs of these young parents are also discussed. The discussion situates the needs and experiences of care leavers in a wider youth transitions framework and argues for continuing professional attention to improving family links as one strategy for assisting care leavers to negotiate the major youth transitions.