Families in Society, 87(4), October 2006, pp.546-554.
Publisher:
The Alliance for Children and Families
The phenomenon of grandparents assuming responsibility for raising their grandchildren is growing internationally. The New Zealand Children Young Persons and Their Families Act (1989) led international child welfare legislation in mandating extended family placement for children needing care. The Act responded to Maori concerns that Maori children were being disproportionately placed with European caregivers. Maori children are still overrepresented in state care statistics; however, they are almost twice as likely to be placed with grandparents or other extended family than are European children. Psychological, cultural, legal, and socioeconomic factors impact on how kinship care is experienced. The emphasis of this research was qualitative, with a primary view of accessibility
The phenomenon of grandparents assuming responsibility for raising their grandchildren is growing internationally. The New Zealand Children Young Persons and Their Families Act (1989) led international child welfare legislation in mandating extended family placement for children needing care. The Act responded to Maori concerns that Maori children were being disproportionately placed with European caregivers. Maori children are still overrepresented in state care statistics; however, they are almost twice as likely to be placed with grandparents or other extended family than are European children. Psychological, cultural, legal, and socioeconomic factors impact on how kinship care is experienced. The emphasis of this research was qualitative, with a primary view of accessibility for the participant group and shaping social work policy and practice with these families.
Subject terms:
indigenous people, kinship care, placement, vulnerable children, grandparents;
Australian Social Work, 59(2), June 2006, pp.172-184.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Nationally and internationally, grandparents support their children and grandchildren by caring for those children who may be at risk in their own home, often in the contemporary context for extended periods. Attachment theory provides a framework to consider how the lives of children, parents and grandparents are affected when grandchildren come to live with their grandparents, whether
Nationally and internationally, grandparents support their children and grandchildren by caring for those children who may be at risk in their own home, often in the contemporary context for extended periods. Attachment theory provides a framework to consider how the lives of children, parents and grandparents are affected when grandchildren come to live with their grandparents, whether it be on a shared basis or as a long-term arrangement. The concept also provides a guide to supporting each generation in the contemporary context, as formal or informal arrangements.
Subject terms:
vulnerable children, attachment, attachment theory, child care, grandparents;
Families, Relationships and Societies, 8(2), 2019, pp.179-195.
Publisher:
Policy Press
Place of publication:
Bristol
While children's exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) is a growing field of inquiry, their experiences of informal network responses have generally been overlooked. Particularly lacking are studies of grandchildren's experiences of their relationship with their grandparents in the face of IPV. Drawing on interviews with 10 children aged 12–17, this article explores how violence-exposed children describe their relationships with their grandparents and how the older generation has responded to the abuse. The children's stories can be interpreted as they expected their grandparents to 'be there' for them, to be important parts of their everyday lives, and wanted their grandparents to intervene and support them when learning of the IPV. Some grandparents intervened in helpful ways, for instance, they contributed to normality in the child's everyday life, siding with the child and the adult victim and providing support and care. Others intervened in unhelpful ways, such as ignoring the violence, or taking the perpetrator's side, and few intervened by attempting to end the violence. This article suggests that grandparents may, but not always, be a resource, both for violence-exposed
(Edited publisher abstract)
While children's exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) is a growing field of inquiry, their experiences of informal network responses have generally been overlooked. Particularly lacking are studies of grandchildren's experiences of their relationship with their grandparents in the face of IPV. Drawing on interviews with 10 children aged 12–17, this article explores how violence-exposed children describe their relationships with their grandparents and how the older generation has responded to the abuse. The children's stories can be interpreted as they expected their grandparents to 'be there' for them, to be important parts of their everyday lives, and wanted their grandparents to intervene and support them when learning of the IPV. Some grandparents intervened in helpful ways, for instance, they contributed to normality in the child's everyday life, siding with the child and the adult victim and providing support and care. Others intervened in unhelpful ways, such as ignoring the violence, or taking the perpetrator's side, and few intervened by attempting to end the violence. This article suggests that grandparents may, but not always, be a resource, both for violence-exposed children and professionals working with IPV.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Based on a survey of members of the Grandparents Plus Support Network, this report explores the experiences of kinship carers looking after children from their wider family. It analyses the 602 responses received from carers to examine: the needs of children and the reasons they are in kinship care, the circumstances of carers and the grandparents' relationships with the children's parents. Key
(Edited publisher abstract)
Based on a survey of members of the Grandparents Plus Support Network, this report explores the experiences of kinship carers looking after children from their wider family. It analyses the 602 responses received from carers to examine: the needs of children and the reasons they are in kinship care, the circumstances of carers and the grandparents' relationships with the children's parents. Key findings from the survey found that the average annual household income of kinship families was well below the national average, with nearly half of respondents saying their income was insufficient to meet the children's needs. In addition, 62 per cent of kinship carers felt they weren't well supported at the time of taking on the care of the children. The report makes recommendations to national and local government to improve the recognition and support for kinship carers. Recommendations cover the areas of financial allowances and welfare benefits; employment protection; and access to advice, information, support and training.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
grandparents, kinship care, family relations, low income, needs, vulnerable children, children;
Children and Youth Services Review, 29(3), March 2007, pp.348-362.
Publisher:
Elsevier
This paper reviews research findings on caretaking-related problems associated with the absence of parents from the home following incarceration. It focuses on the impact of incarceration on the welfare and adjustment of urban African American children and on the assumption of caretaking responsibilities by other caretakers, principally maternal grandmothers. Noting the complex situational difficulties involved and the potential burdens associated with surrogate parenting in general, and with this population in particular, the service-provider implications of this parenting arrangement are considered in this review. Findings indicate that problems associated with incarceration of parents tend to be intergenerational and vary considerably in complexity and severity. To the extent that they impact the children involved, these issues should be addressed in coordinated service delivery focusing on prevention.
This paper reviews research findings on caretaking-related problems associated with the absence of parents from the home following incarceration. It focuses on the impact of incarceration on the welfare and adjustment of urban African American children and on the assumption of caretaking responsibilities by other caretakers, principally maternal grandmothers. Noting the complex situational difficulties involved and the potential burdens associated with surrogate parenting in general, and with this population in particular, the service-provider implications of this parenting arrangement are considered in this review. Findings indicate that problems associated with incarceration of parents tend to be intergenerational and vary considerably in complexity and severity. To the extent that they impact the children involved, these issues should be addressed in coordinated service delivery focusing on prevention.
... proximity to take in children if required to −71% of both fathers and grandparents, 63% of siblings and 23% of best friends said they would take in children. Nonetheless this research suggests that the willingness may not necessarily be translated into reality. Most prospective caregivers identified significant additional stressors (most importantly financial) and expressed a strong need for assistance
Increasing numbers of orphaned and vulnerable children resulting from AIDS deaths requires practical placement strategies. While the extended family is regarded as both the most likely and the preferred option by most key planners and organizations, warnings of the limitations of this alternative have been increasing. This study assessed the views of 1400 adults (both current and prospective caregivers) regarding the placement of children. Most current caregivers believed that either their partner (30%), a grandparent (25%) or another family member (33%) would look after the child/children if they were no longer able to. However, 12% of parents could not identify a carer or predicted only a bleak future for their children. There was strong willingness amongst adults of various relational proximity to take in children if required to −71% of both fathers and grandparents, 63% of siblings and 23% of best friends said they would take in children. Nonetheless this research suggests that the willingness may not necessarily be translated into reality. Most prospective caregivers identified significant additional stressors (most importantly financial) and expressed a strong need for assistance if they were to take in additional children. The HIV status of the child is also likely to sway placement decisions for some people. Nonetheless opportunities to keep children in families are clearly high, but people will need considerable help to realize this potential. For some children alternatives other than the extended family will be required
Subject terms:
HIV AIDS, kinship care, survey design, vulnerable children, carers, guardianship, grandparents;
Children and Youth Services Review, 26(3), March 2004, pp.287-305.
Publisher:
Elsevier
This study examined 373 grandmothers providing full care for their grandchild(ren) informally (private kinship care) and 208 awarded custody through the child welfare system (public kinship care). Public kinship caregivers were 2.7 times more likely to provide care because of parental drug use and almost 60% more likely because of child neglect. Private kinship caregivers had provided care for a longer time and were more apt to share decision-making with the child's parent. Nevertheless, a substantial proportion of private grandmother caregivers––over 40%––assumed care because of maternal drug use or neglect of their grandchild. Findings imply that child welfare successfully targets families at risk, although many private providers have similar problems and service needs.
This study examined 373 grandmothers providing full care for their grandchild(ren) informally (private kinship care) and 208 awarded custody through the child welfare system (public kinship care). Public kinship caregivers were 2.7 times more likely to provide care because of parental drug use and almost 60% more likely because of child neglect. Private kinship caregivers had provided care for a longer time and were more apt to share decision-making with the child's parent. Nevertheless, a substantial proportion of private grandmother caregivers––over 40%––assumed care because of maternal drug use or neglect of their grandchild. Findings imply that child welfare successfully targets families at risk, although many private providers have similar problems and service needs.
Subject terms:
informal care, vulnerable children, carers, child protection, children, family support, grandparents;
Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies, 5(3), September 2010, pp.230-243.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
... of ethnicity, religious background, socioeconomic status, and including children with disabilities, helped to design a questionnaire based on a vignette. This was completed by 2220 children aged 9–13 years from 15 schools. The extended family was identified as the most important source of support; grandparents were given the highest scores. Two other prominent potential helpers were “a friend” and “ChildLine”
This research explored what sources of support might be accessed by children who encounter emotional abuse from their parent figures; how likely they are to turn to extended families given the increases in family mobility; and how relevant are new sources of support such as ChildLine or the internet. Twelve children, aged 7–15 years, reflecting diversity within the UK population in terms of ethnicity, religious background, socioeconomic status, and including children with disabilities, helped to design a questionnaire based on a vignette. This was completed by 2220 children aged 9–13 years from 15 schools. The extended family was identified as the most important source of support; grandparents were given the highest scores. Two other prominent potential helpers were “a friend” and “ChildLine” (a UK telephone helpline for children). Teachers, social workers, health professionals, religious figures and pets were considered important sources of assistance. The prominence of the extended family as a major support was consistent across the various pupil groups (age, socioeconomic and cultural factors). These findings were not anticipated because some schools were based in communities experiencing considerable dislocation or serving new migrant populations where extended families were no longer close to hand.
A mother and father are suspected of repeated physical assaults on their baby daughter and she is placed in care. Reports on a risk assessment that had to decide on the baby's future, and whether to enlist the support of the child's grandmother.
A mother and father are suspected of repeated physical assaults on their baby daughter and she is placed in care. Reports on a risk assessment that had to decide on the baby's future, and whether to enlist the support of the child's grandmother.