Hearing Quiet Voices: Biological Children's Experiences of Fostering

Sutton, Louise; Stack, Niamh

doi:10.1093/bjsw/bcr186

Cited by 26 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…The impact on birth children of witnessing a foster child's negative behaviour towards their parents was seen as particularly problematic, as echoed in other research (Höjer et al, ; Sutton and Stack, ). Many stated that this was often as detrimental as direct peer victimisation to a birth child's wellbeing, especially for older children who felt that it was their role to protect their parents, and especially mothers, from this behaviour (Sutton and Stack, ). The majority of participants felt that it was a ‘natural’ reaction for birth children, and other foster children, to want to protect their parents from harm.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 84%

“…Multiple examples were provided where foster carers' birth children had experienced prolonged physical violence, emotional abuse and intimidation. The impact on birth children of witnessing a foster child's negative behaviour towards their parents was seen as particularly problematic, as echoed in other research (Höjer et al, ; Sutton and Stack, ). Many stated that this was often as detrimental as direct peer victimisation to a birth child's wellbeing, especially for older children who felt that it was their role to protect their parents, and especially mothers, from this behaviour (Sutton and Stack, ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 78%

“…Participants in our study with birth children stated that their children did recognise, and take into account, the traumatic family backgrounds that foster children had experienced and the impact of this on their social interactions (Sutton and Stack, ). Yet, many stated that their birth children routinely felt that their own feelings remained unacknowledged by professionals.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It was generally felt that, as peers, they were able to offer a source of support and advice that foster parents were unable to provide. One participant said that although they felt that their birth children had ‘a difficult time’ as ‘they had to do the same job as the carers’, this also made them ‘better children’ as they had developed greater empathy towards others and an understanding of different needs (Sutton and Stack, ). Höjer () also identified that the birth children of carers took on a considerable amount of responsibility for their foster siblings.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Life Less Ordinary: Foster Carers' Views and Experiences of Negative Peer Interactions in Fostering Households

Barter

Lutman

2015

Child Abuse Review

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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.KEY WORDS: safeguarding children; foster care; peer violence; behaviour difficulties; outcomes O ver the past two decades, substantial concerns have been raised regarding the experiences and outcomes of children and young people in the care system. Most children enter care due to abuse and neglect, and represent some of the most troubled and vulnerable children in society. However, too often their needs are not adequately met and children's and young people's accounts

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 84%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 78%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

A Life Less Ordinary: Foster Carers' Views and Experiences of Negative Peer Interactions in Fostering Households

Barter

Lutman

2015

Child Abuse Review

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show abstract

“…Other significant impacts noted by biological children include impediments to privacy and having to share their home, personal space, possessions, and their parents' time and attention (Hojer et al, 2013;Poland & Groze, 1993;Younes & Harp, 2007). Despite these challenges, biological children often highlight the benefits of their fostering roles and responsibilities (Sutton & Stack, 2013;Watson & Jones, 2002). Younes and Harp (2007) found that children believed fostering made them better people, expanded their understanding of life complexities, and provided a deeper appreciation of their parents.…”

Section: Previous Research On Biological Children Of Foster Carersmentioning

confidence: 99%