Outcomes in Adulthood After Long-Term Foster Care: A Sibling Approach

Abstract

When a child is removed from their home and placed in foster care, society takes over the responsibility for that child’s well-being and development. Failure to provide a child with a nurturing upbringing may have negative consequences for the child as well as for society. Using Swedish longitudinal registry data for a national cohort sample of siblings, in which some were placed in foster care and others remained in their birth parents’ care, this study asks whether long-term foster care ensures improved life chances. Results from multilevel regression analyses of a wide range of educational, social, and health-related outcomes in mature adult age (16 outcome constructs) support a row of previous studies indicating that traditional long-term foster care does not seem to improve maltreated children’s life chances.

Children’s advocacy centre fails to respond to dental, mental and physical ill‐health in abused children

“…It is unclear why only 1% of the children in the study were medically evaluated, despite the presence of a paediatrician in all CAC joint meetings. In accordance with the findings of recent studies, we suggest that poor systematics in child welfare relating to health issues, as well as a lack of CAC routines for medical examination may be explanations 16,17 . We also propose that CPS, who are responsible for referring children to medical examinations, need further training on the impact of child abuse on health 7 …”

“…12 as well as a lack of CAC routines for medical examination may be explanations. 16,17 We also propose that CPS, who are responsible for referring children to medical examinations, need further training on the impact of child abuse on health. 7 Only 4% of the children were assessed by a specialist in forensic medicine, possibly indicating a lack of understanding among representatives from criminal justice and law enforcement of the importance to the child of a timely and accurate forensic medical evaluation.…”

Socio-Educational Support Deficits in the Emancipation of Protected Youth in Spain

“…During the stay in residential resources, intervention in aspects related to emancipation is not always prioritized. Longer stays under protection do not improve the conditions in adult life (Brännström et al, 2020 ). Research participants value positively the access to specific emancipation programs that prioritize the definition of strategies for independent living (Courtney et al, 2018 ; Scannapieco et al, 2016 ).…”

How do child welfare referrals in Sweden match children's self‐reporting of severe exposure?

“…Svensson and Janson (2008) state that lack of referrals to the CWS can be understood as a lack of trust in the CWS combined with an idea that the children can be helped elsewhere. Outcomes of out‐of‐home care are poor (Brännström et al, 2020), and evidence concerning most other CWS interventions are lacking (Sundell & Åhsberg, 2018). Our findings, however, showing that many children are referred to the CWS, might be interpreted as trust in the CWS.…”