Search results for ‘Subject term:"looked after children"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 10 of 1155
Fostering breakdown: an internal study
- Author:
- BAXTER S
- Publisher:
- Northern Ireland. Department of Health and Social Services
- Publication year:
- 1989
- Pagination:
- 32p., tables, bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Belfast
Covers factors involved in breakdown, consequences for both child and carer; and the management of foster breakdown.
Moving towards a wider range of foster homes
- Authors:
- PHELAN J., WEDGE P.
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work Today, 2.6.88, 1988, pp.18-19.
- Publisher:
- British Association of Social Workers
An examination of children's experiences of the child care system.
Systematic review of factors affecting foster parent retention
- Authors:
- HANLON Ryan, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Families in Society, 102(3), 2021, pp.285-299.
- Publisher:
- The Alliance for Children and Families
This study utilized the PRISMA protocol to conduct a systematic review of the literature published in the United States from 1989 to 2018 to identify factors that affect foster parent retention. Foster parent perception of their own limitations within the child welfare system, the child welfare system’s ability to function fluidly, and the foster parents’ relationship with the agency affects retention. In addition, the lack of material resources or inadequacy of funding to cover the cost of services for the child was identified as a barrier to retention. Personal attributes such as flexibility, confidence, and motivation contributed to the caregiver retention as did attending pre-service and in-service training, and having peer support from an experienced foster parent. (Edited publisher abstract)
Longitudinal trajectories of behavioral problems among children in out-of-home care: a systematic review
- Authors:
- LEE Jane Jiyoun, HOLMES Lisa
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Youth Services Review, 127, 2021, p.106086.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
While there are many studies that examine the adverse effects of behavior problems among children in out-of-home care, evidence to understand the cumulative evidence of factors that may change such behavioral paths is limited. Research indicates that children in out-of-home care tend to have higher levels of internalizing and externalizing symptoms, conduct disorders, depression levels, and suicidal behavior compared to children in the general population. To effectively mitigate the risk of behavioral maladjustment, it is important to determine variables that may change behavioral paths, and lead to better outcomes. To address this evidence gap, this study presents a narrative systematic review to examine the quantitative evidence on factors associated with behavioral development of children in out-of-home care. Findings from a total of 146 studies were extracted to investigate what the longitudinal trajectories of behavior problems for children in out-of-home care look like and what variables are associated with particular developmental paths. Results indicated that various individual and ecological variables significantly influence the level of problem behavior that developed over time. Evidence gaps, implications and recommendations for researchers, policy makers and practitioners are presented. (Edited publisher abstract)
Placement stability among children in kinship and non-kinship foster placements across multiple placements
- Authors:
- OSBORNE Jennifer, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Children and Youth Services Review, 126, 2021, p.106000.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
The child welfare system has focused on kinship placements, which have been found to protect against disruption. However, the existing literature has primarily studied time to disruption for a single disruption despite the fact that many children have multiple placements while in care. The current study used survival analysis to investigate whether the type of placement (kin versus non-kin) related to time to placement disruption across up to four placements. Participants included 447 youth aged 5–15 years (M = 9.94, SD = 2.40; 50.8% female) from a larger project examining the outcomes of a family finding intervention. Using survival analysis, we examined the role of a kinship placement on placement disruptions across up to four placements while controlling for demographics, externalizing behaviors upon entry into care, treatment group (family finding versus control), and kin involvement outside of the placement. Results revealed that kin placements contributed to fewer disruptions across the first three placements. Findings align with policies prioritizing kin placements and suggest that the benefits of kinship care hold even for later disruptions. Thus, caseworkers should continue to consider kinship care, even if prior kin placements have disrupted. (Edited publisher abstract)
Prevention of instability in foster care: a case file review study
- Authors:
- KONIJN Carolien, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Child and Youth Care Forum, 50(3), 2021, pp.493-509.
- Publisher:
- Springer
Background: Stability in foster care is paramount, since it enables children with a history of maltreatment to experience secure attachment relationships, and decreases the risk for behavioral and emotional problems when growing up. Objective: We investigated whether foster care interventions play a role in enhancing foster placement stability, in addition to several characteristics of foster children and foster families. Our hypothesis was that foster children of female gender, relatively young at start of the placement, with less previous foster care placements, staying in kinship care, placed with siblings (if they had any) and in a foster family receiving a training to enhance the foster parents’ knowledge on childhood trauma, an attachment-based video-interaction intervention or Treatment Foster Care, would experience significantly less breakdown in foster care. Method: A multilevel analysis was conducted on data from 2000 foster care placements in a 4 year period (2015–2018), concerning 1316 foster families (35.9% kin) and 1542 foster children (49.4% boys, Mage = 7.54 years). Results: The frequency of previous foster care placements (OR = 3.56) increased the risk for breakdown, and receiving the Basic Trust intervention (OR = 0.26) or Treatment Foster Care (OR = 0.11) decreased that risk. Other investigated variables were unrelated to breakdown when checked for the number of foster placements and the applied interventions. Conclusions: Foster care organizations should systematically monitor important risk factors for breakdown, in order to (timely) intervene if necessary to enhance the chances for continuity of foster care placements. Treatment seems to make a difference. (Edited publisher abstract)
Devising and updating risk assessment and management plans in fostering
- Author:
- ADAMS Paul
- Publisher:
- CoramBAAF
- Publication year:
- 2021
- Place of publication:
- London
This guide helps practitioners to consider safety, safer caring and assessing risk, with information on what the guidance, regulations and Ofsted inspection process demand in this area. It provides details of Form R (England) and sets out details of how and when it should be used in a context of risk assessment and management. The form and associated guide list common risks to a fostered child, helpfully organised into four sections: self-directed behaviour; risks from known others; risks from unknown others; and risks that the child may pose to others. Trigger questions for workers and carers will promote discussion and awareness of the different risk areas. The guide provides clear explanation of the concept of risk assessment and management, for social workers and foster carers; sets out the range of common risks to be considered, including going missing, self-harm, mental health, drug and alcohol use, bullying, gangs and county lines, sexual exploitation, risks from birth family members, property damage, fire setting, and making allegations, with explanatory information about each of these; and prompts the social worker and foster carer to explore, discuss and analyse different areas of risk in a child’s life, their likelihood, severity and possible actions to take. (Edited publisher abstract)
Normalcy for children in foster care in the time of coronavirus
- Authors:
- COLLINS Mary Elizabeth, BALDIGA Sarah
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Children's Services, 15(4), 2020, pp.215-219.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: This paper aims to describe how a sense of normalcy for young people in foster care can be critical to their well-being. Design/methodology/approach: This paper reports on policy and practice efforts in the USA to promote normalcy for youth in care. The authors review policy that promotes normalcy and report on one organization's efforts to support these goals. Findings: COVID-19 has offered profound challenges to the goal of normalcy. Rise Above has adapted to meet the challenges. Originality/value: The authors argue that COVID may also offer opportunities to build toward a more robust paradigm of normalcy within child welfare policy and practice. (Edited publisher abstract)
Children looked after in Wales: trends
- Author:
- HODGES Helen
- Publisher:
- Wales Centre for Public Policy
- Publication year:
- 2020
- Pagination:
- 27
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
This briefing focuses on describing the trends associated with children looked after in Wales at both a national and local level. It utilises aggregate data to describe trends with respect to: the number and rate of children looked after in Wales; placement; legal status. On 31st March 2019, there were 6,845 children looked after in Wales, a further increase of 440 compared to the previous year. As a result, the gap between the rate of children looked after in Wales compared to other parts of the UK has continued to widen. The number of children looked after increased by 7% between 31st March 2018 and 31st March 2019; equivalent to an increase from 102 to 109 per 10,000. However, there is a great deal of variation across Wales. In eight local authorities, on the day of census, the number of children looked after was either the same or lower than on the same day the previous year. For ten local authorities, the cohort was more than 10% larger than the previous year. These ten local authorities account for 85% of the net national increase between 2018 and 2019. All age groups have seen a rise over the five years, but the biggest increase has been in rate of under-1s (37% over five years). In terms of placements, there has been an 84% increase in the numbers placed with parents over the last five years. Whilst the majority are placed in foster care, there has been a rise in the numbers placed with kinship carers (60% over five years) and placed outside their ‘home’ local authority (20% between 2015 and 2019). (Edited publisher abstract)
Matching in foster care: making good decisions for children in care and care leavers
- Author:
- OFSTED
- Publisher:
- OFSTED
- Publication year:
- 2020
- Pagination:
- 30
- Place of publication:
- Manchester
This report sets out our findings from a small research project that explored what contributes to good matching decisions for children in foster care. This project is the first part of a wider research programme that looks at decision-making for children in care, or on the edge of care, and care leavers. Matching children to the right foster families is critically important for children’s futures. Good matching decisions can help to ensure that fostered children have a secure base, feel loved and can enjoy their lives. Findings point to the shortage of suitable carers as being the most significant barrier to making good matches. The evaluation saw many thoughtful and effective ways to address shortfalls in matches that were, on paper, less than ideal. It also saw some very creative practice. Social workers and carers regularly made great efforts to understand and meet the needs of children, and often in difficult circumstances. When discussing individual children, practitioners were able to say what had gone well and reflect on where matching practice could have been better. Support was usually readily available to practitioners to help them reflect on practice. There was little evidence, however, that this had translated into wider organisational learning that could improve overall practice across the service. There were several areas of practice that can be improved to promote good matches. Above all, the matching process must be child-centred. For example, children should be prepared well for a move. They should be involved as much as possible in creating the information that is shared with carers. Decisions should always take their wishes and feelings into account. (Edited publisher abstract)