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Young people's and carers' perspectives on the mental health needs of looked-after adolescents
- Author:
- STANLEY Nicky
- Journal article citation:
- Child and Family Social Work, 12(3), August 2007, p.258–267.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
While the mental health needs of looked-after young people have been described in a number of clinical studies, the views of looked-after adolescents themselves concerning their mental health needs have only rarely been reported. This study used focus groups to elicit the ideas and experiences of looked-after young people in two local authorities in England. Front-line carers in the region were also surveyed. Young people and carers were agreed in highlighting the damaging effects of the discontinuity and change experienced in the looked-after system. Young people emphasized the importance of exercising choice and control when seeking and receiving support and identified the value of positive role models provided by ‘survivors’ of the care system. Carers reported high levels of risk behaviour, particularly self-harm, among young people in children's homes. These differing perspectives need to be openly acknowledged and negotiated within care settings in order that relevant and accessible therapeutic and support services can be offered to looked-after adolescents.
The mental health of looked after children: matching response to need
- Authors:
- STANLEY Nicky, RIORDAN Denise, ALASZEWSKI Helen
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 13(3), May 2005, pp.239-248.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study aimed to explore the mental health problems of looked after children and to examine the service response to those needs in two English local authorities. The study utilised a purposive sample of 80 looked after children which was biased towards those with high needs but which reflected the characteristics of looked after children in the two areas with regard to age, gender and type of placement. Key data on children and young people were collected from social services' case files and a set of indicators of mental health need was designed by the research team in order to distinguish different types and levels of mental health problems. High levels of mental health need in the study group were associated with placement disruption. Educational difficulties were also apparent in the group with the highest levels of mental health need. Longer-term input from child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) professionals did not appear to be targeted on the group with the highest level of mental health needs. The researchers conclude that longer-term CAMHS interventions could be usefully focused on looked after children who have experienced high levels of placement disruption. As the professional group most likely to be providing substantial intervention to looked after children and their carers, social workers require relevant training in identifying and responding to mental health needs. CAMHS professionals could develop and strengthen their consultative roles with front-line carers, social workers and schools.
Institutional abuse: perspectives across the life course
- Editors:
- STANLEY Nicky, MANTHORPE Jill, PENHALE Bridget
- Publisher:
- Routledge
- Publication year:
- 1999
- Pagination:
- 242p.,bibliogs.
- Place of publication:
- London
Brings together a number of different accounts of institutional abuse from academics and researchers. Uses a life course perspective and looks at four areas: children, adults with learning difficulties, adults with mental health problems, and older people. Each section includes a critical overview, analysis of current research and a chapter reporting on users' experiences of abuse. Aims to develop an understanding of how institutional abuse can be prevented and survivors' needs can be met.
The mental health problems of mothers experiencing the child protection system: identifying needs and appropriate responses
- Authors:
- STANLEY Nicky, PENHALE Bridget
- Journal article citation:
- Child Abuse Review, 8(1), January 1999, pp.34-45.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This article presents the findings of a small pilot study which examined the needs of mothers with severe mental health problems whose children were involved in the child protection system. The use of the diagnosis of 'personality disorder' in relation to this group of women is discussed and the finding that all these women had experience of domestic violence is considered in the context of other research findings. The article seeks to identify the differing approaches to maternal mental health problems which appear to be developing out of different groups of research studies and argues that practitioners need to be explicit in identifying their perspectives on the associated issues of maternal mental health problems and child protection.