Abstract
BackgroundWhen children are unable to safely live at home with their parents, contact between these children and their parents is considered, in most cases, important for maintaining children’s sense of identity and relationships with their parents. However, the research evidence on contact is weak and provides little guidance on how to manage contact and when it is beneficial or potentially harmful. The evidence in relation to contact interventions with parents and their children who are to remain in long-term care is the most limited. A small number of studies have been identified where interventions which were therapeutic, child-focused and with clear goals, particularly aimed at preparing and supporting parents, showed some promising results. This trial aims to build on the existing evidence by trialling an enhanced model of contact in multiple sites in Australia.Methods/DesignThis study is a cluster randomised controlled trial of an enhanced contact intervention with children in long-term care who are having supervised contact with their parents. Intervention sites will implement the kContact intervention that increases the preparation and support provided to parents in relation to contact. Baseline and follow-up interviews are being conducted with parents, carers and agency workers at intervention and control sites. Follow-ups interviews will assess whether there has been an increase in children’s emotional safety and a reduction in distress in response to contact visits with their parents (the primary outcome variable as measured using the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire), improved relationships between children and their parents, improved parental ability to support contact, and fewer contact visits cancelled.DiscussionBy increasing the evidence base in this area, the study aims to better guide the management and supervision of contact visits in the out-of-home care context and improve outcomes for the children and their families.Trial RegistrationTrial registered on 7 April 2015 with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12615000313538
Highlights
When children are unable to safely live at home with their parents, contact between these children and their parents is considered, in the majority of cases, important for maintaining children’s sense of identity and relationships with their parents, and as a means of enhancing their emotional, behavioural and intellectual development [1, 2]
The legislation governing the care and protection of children in Australia supports continued contact between children in care and their parents, as does the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child, Article 9 [10] which supports the rights of children to maintain personal relationships with their parents, unless this would not be in the best interests of the child
It has been reported in the literature that between 56 % and 94 % of children in foster and kinship care have some direct contact with their parents, this generally reduces over time [2, 16,17,18]
Summary
When children are unable to safely live at home with their parents, contact between these children and their parents is considered, in the majority of cases, important for maintaining children’s sense of identity and relationships with their parents, and as a means of enhancing their emotional, behavioural and intellectual development [1, 2]. Contact can be disruptive: it can prevent children developing a sense of permanence, cause additional emotional strain on children, and can increase conflicts between parents, carers and children [1, 6, 7] It is important, that contact service providers and agencies with the parental responsibility for children in the care of the state minimise the possibility that these children will experience further distress as a result of their family contact visits [8]. A small number of studies have been identified where interventions which were therapeutic, child-focused and with clear goals, aimed at preparing and supporting parents, showed some promising results This trial aims to build on the existing evidence by trialling an enhanced model of contact in multiple sites in Australia. Over time the need for and appropriateness of supervision may change, as the placement becomes established and the child’s age increases and their vulnerability decreases [8]
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