10 results
Search Results
2. Piloting the Mockingbird Family™ in Australia: Experiences of foster carers and agency workers.
- Author
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McLaren, Helen, Patmisari, Emi, Jones, Michelle, Skinner, Chris, and Mather, Simone
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JOB involvement , *WORK , *SOCIAL workers , *QUALITATIVE research , *SELF-efficacy , *CONCEPTUAL models , *INTERPROFESSIONAL relations , *RESEARCH funding , *PILOT projects , *INTERVIEWING , *FOSTER home care , *FOSTER parents , *SOCIAL worker attitudes , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *CONFIDENCE , *EMOTIONS , *SOCIAL change , *PSYCHOLOGY , *PHENOMENOLOGY , *COMPARATIVE studies , *INTERPERSONAL relations , *ORGANIZATIONAL goals , *SOCIAL support , *PSYCHOSOCIAL factors , *EXPERIENTIAL learning , *CAREGIVER attitudes ,RESEARCH evaluation - Abstract
Given that the number of children and young people needing care keeps rising and fewer people are becoming foster carers, efforts to support carers and workers in foster caring are essential. This paper considers the experiences of carers and foster care agency workers involved in Australia's piloting of the Mockingbird Family. With a view understanding experience, data were collected via focus groups with carers and agency workers (n = 20) involved in piloting, implementation and evaluation. Deductive analysis applied the theory of experience to generate understanding of experience, as both intrinsic and extrinsic dimensions to capture strengths in the Mockingbird Family's foster caring networks. These dimensions of experience included collective passions of carers and workers; experiential change over time; collective experiences as a moving force; and experiences as transformational. Understanding of experience associated with the perceived strengths of the Mockingbird Family, including strategies to promote strong professional relationships between carers and workers, is an important element in strengthening environments of children and young people in care. Safe and stable environments are crucial for wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. Students in out‐of‐home care: Their experiences of Transforming Educational Achievement for Children at Risk, an Australian education programme.
- Author
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Townsend, Indra M., Berger, Emily P., and Reupert, Andrea E.
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SPECIAL education , *EMBARRASSMENT , *TEACHER-student relationships , *SOCIAL support , *RESEARCH methodology , *STUDENT assistance programs , *MOTIVATION (Psychology) , *INTERVIEWING , *VIDEOCONFERENCING , *EXPERIENCE , *QUALITATIVE research , *PARADIGMS (Social sciences) , *HUMAN services programs , *STUDENTS , *HEALTH , *DECISION making , *SHAME , *FOSTER home care , *GOAL (Psychology) , *EDUCATIONAL outcomes , *COVID-19 pandemic - Abstract
Children living in out‐of‐home care are at greater risk of poor educational outcomes compared to other children. To address their educational needs, several programs have been developed. Within a qualitative paradigm, this study explored the experiences of students about their involvement in TEACHaR (Transforming Educational Achievement for Children at Risk), a specialized education programme. Eight students (aged 13 to 18 years) from the programme participated in individual, semi‐structured interviews. Responses were analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. Participants indicated that the programme provided individualized and flexible academic support, reduced their shame and embarrassment and provided them with more than academic support. They highlighted the importance of the student–educator relationship, and the need for encouragement and motivation to pursue their educational goals. Finally, findings report on how COVID‐19 impacts on student experiences of the programme. Recommendations for the development and improvement of education programs for students in out‐of‐home care conclude this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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4. Courts, care proceedings and outcomes uncertainty: The challenges of achieving and assessing "good outcomes" for children after child protection proceedings.
- Author
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Dickens, Jonathan, Masson, Judith, Garside, Ludivine, Young, Julie, and Bader, Kay
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LEGAL status of children , *ADOPTION , *CHILD care , *CHILD development , *COURTS , *CUSTODY of children , *DECISION making , *FOCUS groups , *FOSTER home care , *HEALTH , *INTERPERSONAL relations , *INTERVIEWING , *MEDICAL personnel , *NEEDS assessment , *HEALTH outcome assessment , *PARENT-child relationships , *LEGAL procedure , *RESEARCH funding , *STATISTICAL sampling , *SOCIAL workers , *JUDGMENT sampling , *EMPIRICAL research , *FAMILY relations , *OCCUPATIONAL roles , *CLIENT relations , *SOCIAL support , *PATIENTS' families - Abstract
The professed aim of any social welfare or legal intervention in family life is often to bring about "better outcomes for the children." But there is considerable ambiguity about "outcomes," and the term is far too often used in far too simplistic a way. This paper draws on empirical research into the outcomes of care proceedings for a randomly selected sample of 616 children in England and Wales, about half starting proceedings in 2009–2010 and the others in 2014–2015. The paper considers the challenges of achieving and assessing "good outcomes" for the children. Outcomes are complex and fluid for all children, whatever the court order. One has to assess the progress of the children in the light of their individual needs and in the context of "normal" child development, and in terms of the legal provisions and policy expectations. A core paradox is that some of the most uncertain outcomes are for children who remain with or return to their parents; yet law and policy require that first consideration is given to this option. Greater transparency about the uncertainty of outcomes is a necessary step towards better understanding the risks and potential benefits of care proceedings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
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5. The quality and developmental pathways in sibling relationships: A qualitative study of Norwegian children admitted to child welfare service care.
- Author
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Hovland, Wenche and Hean, Sarah
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SIBLINGS , *WELL-being , *RESEARCH , *CHILD care , *SOCIAL support , *ATTITUDE (Psychology) , *SOCIAL networks , *RESEARCH methodology , *INTERVIEWING , *QUALITATIVE research , *CONFLICT (Psychology) , *CHILD welfare , *THEMATIC analysis , *DATA analysis software , *FOSTER home care - Abstract
Siblings are key actors in the social network of young people in care. This paper explores young people's perceptions of changes in the quality of sibling relationships and the pathways relationships follow during the transition from the biological family into care. A thematic analysis of interviews with young Norwegian people (n = 25) in care showed that, in the biological family, sibling relationships are characterized by alliances, parentification, conflicts or nonexistence. After admission to child welfare services care, sibling relationships developed along multiple pathways. Their sibling relationships reshaped into either close and supportive, conflictual or completely broken relationships. Sibling relationships were dynamic, complex, with the pathway, and its impact on well‐being, being unique to each young person. Sibling relationship quality in the biological home did not predict relationship quality after admission to child welfare services. The implications for social worker practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
6. Work and resilience: Care leavers' experiences of navigating towards employment and independence.
- Author
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Furey, Rosemary and Harris-Evans, Jean
- Subjects
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FOSTER children , *WORK environment , *SOCIAL support , *FOCUS groups , *ATTITUDE (Psychology) , *TRANSITIONAL programs (Education) , *MEDICAL personnel , *INTERVIEWING , *QUALITATIVE research , *INTERNSHIP programs , *EMPLOYMENT , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *RESEARCH funding , *THEMATIC analysis , *PSYCHOLOGICAL resilience , *FOSTER home care - Abstract
Poor education and employment outcomes have long been associated with care experienced young people transitioning into independence, even after adjusting for prior disadvantage. In the United Kingdom, such young people are generally referred to as care leavers. Policies that aim to reduce the gap between care leavers and noncare experienced young people's success transitioning to employment and independence have had limited success. This paper draws on a qualitative methodology that utilized theories of resilience, to glean a range of perspectives from both care leavers and their employers. All the participants were engaged in a U.K. local authority's initiative to support care leavers into employment. Drawing on resilience theory, resilience was found to be located in a complex interaction between a resilience enabling environment and, crucially, emotionally supportive networks. Uniquely, we argue that emotional support, drawn from such networks, is the key factor that facilitates young people navigating towards such resources, leading to successful outcomes. Previous studies have underplayed this aspect in favour of more tangible resources. Attention to strengthening emotional support networks is thus identified as a significant factor that supports transition to employment and successful independence for care leavers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
7. Supporting care‐experienced adults' educational journeys: "Linked lives" over the life course.
- Author
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Brady, Eavan and Gilligan, Robbie
- Subjects
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FOSTER home care , *INTERGENERATIONAL relations , *INTERPERSONAL relations , *INTERVIEWING , *RESEARCH , *QUALITATIVE research , *FAMILY relations , *SOCIAL support , *EDUCATIONAL attainment , *THEMATIC analysis , *RESIDENTIAL care , *DATA analysis software , *ADULTS - Abstract
Research highlights the role of key actors and relationships in supporting the educational attainment and progress of children in care and care leavers. We know less about how relationships influence the educational journeys of people with care experience over time and how to support the educational progress and engagement of adults with care experience. The principle of "linked lives" is central to the life course perspective referring to the interdependence of human lives throughout the life course. This paper explores how the principle of linked lives can illuminate our understanding of how relationships positively influence the educational journeys of adults with care experience over time. Educational life history interviews were conducted with 18 care‐experienced adults (aged 24–36) in Ireland. Findings suggest that the principle of linked lives is a valuable conceptual tool for providing new insights on this issue. Four key themes were identified: (a) opportunities for educational support are present across the life course; (b) "family" is a central source of educational support; (c) there is intergenerational capacity for educational support; and (d) relationships beyond the "family" are supportive of education. Implications for practice, policy, and research are explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2020
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8. Getting behind the closed door of care leavers: understanding the role of emotional support for young people leaving care.
- Author
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Adley, Natasha and Jupp Kina, Victoria
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ATTITUDE (Psychology) , *EMOTIONS , *FOSTER home care , *INTERVIEWING , *PHENOMENOLOGY , *RESEARCH methodology , *SOCIAL case work , *SOCIAL networks , *SOCIAL support , *WELL-being , *THEMATIC analysis , *RESIDENTIAL care , *INDEPENDENT living - Abstract
There have been significant changes in the legislative frameworks and guidance that surround social work practice with young people leaving the care system over the recent years. However, care leavers continue to face a range of challenges, achieve poor outcomes and research has consistently highlighted the insufficient attention paid to sources of emotional support. This paper provides empirical data from a small number of care leavers reflecting on their experiences of transitioning to independence. The findings provide further evidence of the lack of attention paid to emotional support by professionals and highlight the impact that this had on the young people's experiences. The young people identify their changing perceptions and needs as their experiences post‐care change, the complex reasons for why they may have rejected offers of support and make key recommendations for practice. This paper provides valuable insight into the process of leaving the care system from the perspective of care leavers themselves and raises key questions that challenge the structure of the current support systems, the nature of the professional relationship with young people in care and the priorities of current policy initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
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9. The social support in kinship foster care: a way to enhance resilience.
- Author
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Fuentes‐Peláez, Nuria, Balsells, Mª Àngels, Fernández, Josefina, Vaquero, Eduard, and Amorós, Pere
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PSYCHOLOGICAL adaptation , *CHILD welfare , *CONTENT analysis , *EXPERIENCE , *FAMILIES , *FOCUS groups , *FOSTER home care , *FOSTER parents , *HEALTH education , *INTERVIEWING , *RESEARCH methodology , *PARENTING , *RESEARCH funding , *PSYCHOLOGICAL resilience , *SOCIAL support , *WELL-being , *THEMATIC analysis , *PRE-tests & post-tests - Abstract
This paper analyses how social support enhances family resilience in kinship foster families by involving the families in an educational group programme. Sixty‐two kinship foster families from Spain participated in the research. The data were collected before the programme (interviews) and after the programme (interviews and focus groups), and these were analysed by content analysis with the programme Atlas.ti. The results show that the factors that contribute most to the development of family resilience are as follows: (i) feeling able to look for solutions when facing problems; (ii) an increase of their network of formal support; (iii) being able to offer support to other foster families; and (iv) feeling that the support they give to parents' foster children is socially recognized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
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10. A Life Less Ordinary: Foster Carers' Views and Experiences of Negative Peer Interactions in Fostering Households.
- Author
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Barter, Christine and Lutman, Eleanor
- Subjects
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AGGRESSION (Psychology) , *ATTITUDE (Psychology) , *BEHAVIOR disorders in children , *EXPERIENCE , *FOCUS groups , *FOSTER children , *FOSTER home care , *FOSTER parents , *INTERPERSONAL relations , *INTERVIEWING , *RESEARCH methodology , *RESEARCH , *RESEARCH funding , *SOCIAL services , *VIOLENCE , *AFFINITY groups , *SOCIAL support , *THEMATIC analysis - Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to explore negative peer interactions in foster care. Looked after children and young people have highlighted the impact of negative peer interactions, and especially peer violence and intimidation, on their care experiences. However, to date, no specific fostering research has addressed this important issue. In response to this gap, we undertook focus groups with 32 foster carers in the South West of England. Group discussions were semi-structured based around the issue of negative peer interactions in foster care. The analysis revealed five main associated themes: the impact on the carers' birth children; a lack of placement planning; inadequate referral information; a negative view of social work support; and insufficient external interventions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Messages Negative peer interactions, particularly violence, were a major concern for foster carers, especially if they negatively impacted on the welfare of carers' birth children., An absence of pre-placement referral information on negative peer interactions was commonly reported and placed all children in the fostering household at risk., Associated social work support and external interventions were often perceived as lacking and inadequate., Fostering procedures, review and decisions need to recognise the impact of peer violence on all members of the fostering household. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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