Foster Care Practice Research Articles

Gambaran Praktik Pengasuhan Anak Kembar di Kabupaten Gayo Lues

The purpose of this study is to know the image of the practice of child care in gayo lues district. This study uses qualitative methods with a descriptive approach. Number of participants in the study are three subjects. The data is analyzed using thematic analysis techniques. The findings suggest that there are 7 themes illustrating the practice of foster care in gayo lues district, of which 7 include the following sub themes. Parenting stress that covers the subtheme of financial demands, the lack of time for yourself. Support system that includes sub themes of extended family help, husband support, local government assistance. Coping strategies that include the subtheme manage time through other work, not managing emotions in a healthy way. Teaching that includes sub themes that enhance understanding, direction and example. The culture that includes the sub theme educating children firmly, the high tone of voice and educating children independently. The vaforitism consists of the sub theme divide and contrast.

Foster care breakdown in adolescence: A retrospective view of young individuals on their experiences

Summary Placement with a foster family is one of the care arrangements available for children who cannot live at home. Many of those in foster care are teenagers. The complexity of the development during adolescence poses major challenges and may ultimately lead to what is known in the literature as “foster breakdown.” Most of the research in this area focuses on the point of view of social workers or foster parents. The current study examines this experience through a retrospective view of those who were teenagers at the time of foster care breakdown. To this end, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 Israeli young individuals (16–30 years old) who had experienced foster breakdown at various stages of adolescence. Findings The findings paint a complex and multidimensional picture of breakdown. While most of the interviewees described it as a sudden, unexpected event, closer examination revealed a dynamic process of collapse. This process comprised various factors, including those associated with the welfare system, the foster family, and characteristics related to the developmental stage of adolescence of the research participants. The combination of these factors led to the premature termination of the foster arrangement. Applications This study opens a window to the complex experience of foster breakdown in adolescence, an issue that has received very little research attention thus far. Understanding the dynamics of foster breakdown from the perspective of young individuals can improve professional foster care practices and policy and can benefit social workers in their work with foster families.

“On an Island”: Foster parent experiences of support during the COVID-19 pandemic

In caring for some of our most vulnerable children, foster parents fill a critically important and challenging role. Yet, research demonstrates that they often experience a lack of social support in this role, a factor that has been shown to buffer against the ill effects of foster parent stress. During the recent COVID-19 pandemic, foster families lost access to typical supports while stressors multiplied. The present study examined the experiences of social support among foster parents during the pandemic through the use of individual semi-structured interviews with 16 licensed foster parents in one Midwestern state. Findings were organized into four main themes, each shedding light on an aspect of foster parents’ experiences of support (or lack thereof) during the pandemic. Themes were titled using direct quotes from participants and include: (1) “On an island,” (2) “You have to respect the foster parent,” (3) “The only way I survived,” and (4) “Supportive in a way that was safe.” Participants indicated that the pandemic exacerbated many challenging aspects of fostering, such as isolation and feeling disrespected. However, some sources of support, such as extended family, were invaluable. Additionally, many forms of support were either developed or adapted to be delivered in accordance with COVID-19 safety guidelines. The findings presented here carry implications for foster care research and practice both within and beyond public health emergencies such as COVID-19.

Exploring alternative care options for children in China: recent developments and challenges

ABSTRACT In recent years, there has been increasing recognition of the complexities surrounding alternative care arrangements for children, especially within China’s changing childcare landscape. This paper addresses the gap in understanding the nuances of alternative care options in China by conducting a narrative review of existing literature and governmental documents, focusing specifically on kinship care, institutional care, family foster care, and adoption. The review reveals recent developments and current challenges associated with each form of alternative care, providing insights into the evolving childcare system in China. Key findings include significant progress in diversifying childcare options, increased funding investment in the system, and efforts to standardize alternative childcare practices through policies and legislative measures. However, challenges persist in promoting psychosocial development and preparing individuals living in institutions for leaving care, ensuring adequate resources and support for kinship caregivers, and enhancing participation rates in family foster care and adoption practices. Practical implications for policymakers and child welfare agencies are discussed, emphasizing the importance of promoting family-based care options, providing quality caregiver training, considering various aspects of children’s needs, extending support for kinship care, and formulating inclusive adoption policies.

Weaving webs of well-being: The ethics of navigating religious differences in Christian foster families with foster children of various backgrounds

This article analyzes ethical issues arising in transreligious foster care placements in relation to foster children’s needs regarding religious socialization and identification. Applying Urban Walker’s expressive-collaborative framework to 30 qualitative interviews with foster parents, foster children, parents, and professionals, we elaborate and apply a three-level reflection on Christian foster parents’ ethics of care in everyday practice of foster care. A first-level reflection demonstrates that integrating the foster child in the foster family often leads to predominant Christian socialization of foster children. A second-level reflection demonstrates asymmetry between foster parents and birth parents in the religious socialization of foster children, leading to confusion for the foster child and (potential) conflict with birth parents. Finally, a normative reflection leads us to conclude that foster children in transreligious placements need loose and hybrid moral frames in which they can alter, shift, and navigate their multiple identifications and partialities as part of their development.

Life after an out‐of‐home placement: What biological parents in foster care tell us about parenthood

AbstractMultiple attempts have been made to address the perspectives of biological parents in cases of foster care. Despite this, there is a lack of research that adequately reflects these parents' perspectives on parenthood following an out‐of‐home placement. In addition, Western welfare systems tend to be primarily concerned with the rights of children and their foster parents. As we know little about how parenthood takes shape in the day‐to‐day practice of foster care, this study addresses what can be a possible (new) role for biological parents when an out‐of‐home placement is required. Qualitative research was performed by means of an interview guide, divided in (sub)themes, with 13 biological parents whose children were still in foster care. The thematic analysis of the interviews revealed three main topics: the sudden entry into foster care, the foster care process and feeling like a parent. Our analysis revealed that parents, despite their own reservations or objections about foster care, tend to commemorate or redefine their parenting role after their child(ren) have been placed out of home.

Security-first thinking and educational practices for young children in foster care in Sweden and England: A think piece

• Little research exists about young fostered children and their education. • Fewer fostered children attend centre based early childhood education. • Attachment theory focus may have led to ‘security first’ thinking by foster carers • Foster carers are often carrying out educational practices in their homes. • A large scale study of foster carers’ educational roles and their impacts is needed. While the education of looked after children has attracted considerable policy attention in Europe and North America, and globally the early education of preschool aged children is the subject of substantial investment, the early education of young children in foster care is neglected in both research and policy. This paper is a cross-national think piece to stimulate research and debate about young children in foster care. We present findings from two studies, one in England and one in Sweden, exploring foster carers’ views and practices with young children. We argue that there is a perceived tension, in foster care policy and practice, between education and emotional wellbeing such that young children’s attachment relationships and sense of security is privileged over their engagement in educational practices. Attachment relationships are a necessary but insufficient condition for optimal development of fostered children.

Informal foster care practice in Anambra State, Nigeria and safety concerns

Childcare is a concern for governments across the world, and could be unique in diverse cultural climes. An aspect of childcare is foster care, which is largely informal in Nigeria and portends opportunities for child abuse. Our study offers ideas that would guarantee the safety of children within the informal foster care net, since the Nigerian government is yet to commit to the project of formalizing foster care. We investigated informal foster care practice in two local government areas of Anambra State, Nigeria using Key Informant Interviews (KIIs). Data were sourced from 32 persons comprising social welfare officers, parents and relatives of children in foster care, the fostered children and their foster parents or guardians. We analysed data thematically. Our findings disclosed that while the informal foster care practice can account for some developmental interests, it also created opportunities for abuse. To enhance the safety of children in informal foster care, the roles of the social welfare agencies housed in the headquarters of every local government area in Nigeria were found to be of significant importance. We concluded by recommending that interventions must be culturally sensitive so as to appeal to the people.

Maintaining culture and supporting cultural identity in foster care placements

This article reports on an exploratory study about maintaining and supporting the cultural identity of children from culturally and linguistically diverse family backgrounds in foster care placements. In this study, we spoke with foster carers and caseworkers who respectively live and work with children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in the state of New South Wales. Foster care is one of the most common placement types in out-of-home care where a child or young person is placed with an alternative caregiver on a temporary or long-term basis, usually due to neglect or abuse. The importance of nurturing a sense of belonging through cultural, linguistic and religious affiliations is recognised in Australian curriculum policies that guide teachers in early childhood and school settings. Teachers, however, may not be fully aware of their potential contribution in supporting these children to maintain their connections with their cultural heritage. Our findings provide evidence for extending the public discourse on cultural responsiveness and supporting cultural maintenance in foster care placements. We consider implications for foster care practice and future research involving key stakeholders such as children and young people in care, as well as teachers in early childhood and school settings.

Variability in Developmental Outcomes of Foster Children: Implications for Research and Practice

This article focuses on the variability in developmental outcomes of foster children and the implications for foster care research and practice. We first provide a brief overview of our previous work, where we have shown by means of meta-analysis and a longitudinal study that foster children greatly vary with respect to their developmental functioning. We then discuss that it is both the heterogeneity of developmental trajectories and the lack of an accurate model for predicting foster children's development that make the screening and monitoring of foster children's development important. We provide suggestions for screening and monitoring, and discuss the Brief Assessment Checklist as an example of a specific instrument available for screening and monitoring of vulnerable children exposed to severe social adversity. We conclude our article with directions to improve foster care and research on foster care, including a discussion of the effectiveness of and foster children's susceptibility to interventions, support for foster parents and the potential of large national and international studies.

Foster Care Dynamics and System Science: Implications for Research and Policy.

Although system is a word frequently invoked in discussions of foster care policy and practice, there have been few if any attempts by child welfare researchers to understand the ways in which the foster care system is a system. As a consequence, insights from system science have yet to be applied in meaningful ways to the problem of making foster care systems more effective. In this study, we draw on population biology to organize a study of admissions and discharges to foster care over a 15-year period. We are interested specifically in whether resource constraints, which are conceptualized here as the number of beds, lead to a coupling of admissions and discharges within congregate care. The results, which are descriptive in nature, are consistent with theory that ties admissions and discharges together because of a resource constraint. From the data, it is clear that the underlying system exerts an important constraint on what are normally viewed as individual-level decisions. Our discussion calls on extending efforts to understand the role of system science in studies of child welfare systems, with a particular emphasis on the role of feedback as a causal influence.

Colorblind Individualism, Color Consciousness, and the Indian Child Welfare Act: Representations of Adoptee Best Interest in Newspaper Coverage of the Baby Veronica Case

ABSTRACTTransracial adoption debates revolve around adoptee best interest with support focusing on individual rights and opposition emphasizing identity. How the media portrayed the Baby Veronica case highlights tensions between colorblind individualism and collective color consciousness central to the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). Content analysis of 262 mainstream and Native American newspaper articles illustrates the complex use of both frameworks with Native American sources more often noting the importance of tribal ties and drawing from a more diverse range of authorities. Findings have implications for public attitudes regarding tribal rights, adoption and foster care policies and practices, and the future of ICWA.

The Practice of Foster Care in the SAARC Countries

The Practice of Foster Care in the SAARC Countries

The Practice of Foster Care in The Saarc Countries

The Practice of Foster Care in The Saarc Countries

Agency and its Constraints among Biological Children of Foster Carers

ABSTRACTThere is currently limited understanding of biological children of foster carers and their experiences of foster care placements. This article presents findings from focus groups with biological children that shed light on their perspectives and experiences. Findings indicate biological children are competent social actors who contribute to, and seek to influence, the care environment in their homes. However, due to a lack of recognition, information, and support, biological children’s agency is constrained and their challenges exacerbated. This article argues for increased recognition, information and support for biological children, advocating for a “whole-of-family” approach to foster care practice and policy.

The Practice of Foster Care In South Asia

The Foster Care Team at Udayan Care is conducting a research study to better understand the practice of foster care in South Asian Countries. Given the global shift from institutional care to family-based care for vulnerable children and the lack of tangible documentation of proper practices, processes and legislatures for foster family-care in the South Asian region, our team is motivated to address this issue of lack of reference material by providing an outline of various foster care models being implemented in the said region. The findings and analysis of this study would benefit childcare practitioners, policy makers, social researchers and general public. An electronic survey technique is used to gather information from various South Asian practice and advocacy organizations, government departments and researchers working in the field of childcare. We strongly believe, a holistic understanding of various facets of foster care would help promote a stable and more predictable family foster care ecosystem in South Asian countries.

CHILDREN FOSTER CARE LAW AND PRACTICE: WHAT MALAYSIA CAN LEARN FROM FOSTER CARE (IHTIDHAN) IN JORDAN

Foster care is one of the means of child protection in Malaysia and in many other countries like Singapore, Australia, United Kingdom, Algeria, Egypt and Morocco. This is also highlighted in international legal documents like the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (the CRC) which also recognise the Islamic law concept of foster care (kaffalah). Through foster care, a child is placed either in an institution or fostered by individual foster parents. This paper aims at examining the law and practice of individual foster care in Malaysia with a comparative overview of the law and practice in Jordan. The comparison is intended to assist development of better law and practice of foster care in Malaysia where suitable, relevant and necessary. The analysis focuses on certain suitable laws and practice of foster care in Jordan i.e. what Malaysia can learn from foster care in Jordan. The research is basically library research. A minor part of the research also involves interviews with the relevant officers on practices that are not documented. It is hoped that this paper will provide good suggestions for better protection of children in Malaysia through foster care.

AN ANALYSIS OF, AND DIFFERENT APPROACH TO, CHALLENGES IN FOSTER CARE PRACTICE IN SOUTH AFRICA

Foster care is perceived to be the best and most widely applied form of alternative care for children besides their maternal home, because it most often occurs within the family context and is supposed to offer safety and protection to children. Despite the various advantages that foster care offers, it is known that foster care practice worldwide – including in South Africa – is suffering from serious deficiencies. Therefore it is questionable whether it serves the best interests of the child at all times and whether the principle of social justice is adhered to. As Bass, Shields and Behrman (2004:5) state: “For too many of these children, foster care is no safe haven. Instead, the children drift from foster home to foster home, lingering in care while awaiting a permanent, forever family.”

Neighbor to Family: Supporting Sibling Groups in Foster Care

Neighbor To Family (NTF) is a foster care program that prepares sibling groups for permanency and the future through the use of professional caregivers; extensive training and support for caregivers; a team-based approach which includes family, kin, and caregivers as equal partners; and intentional and aggressive outreach to biological parents and extended family. This article reports on the first controlled study, using a propensity analysis, that compares outcomes for 417 children receiving the NTF service with a matched group of 417 children receiving traditional foster care services. Matching demonstrated significant improvement in placement within county, placement with siblings, stability of placement, time to permanent placement, and cost of care for the children receiving NTF services compared to the children who received other forms of foster care. The studies are discussed in terms of their implications for foster care practice and the use of propensity matching to expand research opportunities.

Politiche sociali fra territorio e personalizzazione: processi distintivi e convergenze internazionali

This paper evaluates a specific form of open adoption implemented by the Juvenile Court of Bari in order to preserve the affective bond between children and biological families, even after the enactment of adoption measures. A multi-stakeholder evaluation study (study I) using 7 focus group discussions allowed to identify both the distinctive features and potentialities vs. limits of this particular form of adoption and outcome variables to develop an assessment procedure to be employed with adoptive parents and children. Through an ad hoc questionnaire and several psychological tests, the second study investigates 70 families in order to see (a) if contact between children and biological families is maintained after adoption, and to assess (b) the degree of psychological well-being vs illness observed in adopted adolescents and young adults. The results of the evaluation studies demonstrate that while this new form of adoption represents a complex and highly specialised method, it is valuable in cases of semi-abandonment, when biological families are unable to fulfil their parental role yet show an affective bond with their children. In the light of these results, the paper outlines proposals and suggestions to improve foster care and adoption practices.