The Benefits and Challenges of Kinship Care

Abstract

The outcomes for children in kinship care are generally seen as positive in terms of identity formation, stability of placement, behavioural and mental health outcomes, enabling siblings to live together and child protection. However, there is some disquiet about the length of time children stay with relatives; agencies are not sure about how best to position themselves in relation to the families, or how best to conduct home studies and license relative carers. There is evidence that relatives receive both less support and supervision from agencies than do traditional foster parents. This paper examines the benefits and challenges of relative care, whilst identifying current research limitations, and focuses on the gaps in respect to the intersection between research policy and practice. Through this examination, considerations are given to such issues as: What service delivery models are needed to optimise potential benefits through aligning law, policy and practice guidance? How, and to what extent, should relative care be financed? Where does relative care fit with the intersection of permanency adoption and guardianship? The ambiguity that exists towards this care option needs exploration, as does the question of how a worker's own ''family experiences and values'' may influence, or be influenced in, the course of the relative-care work.

Hearing the voices of kinship foster carers in Northern Ireland: an inquiry into characteristics, needs and experiences

“…Yet, in keeping with other sources (see O'Brien, 2012), many felt that the financial and practical supports they received at the beginning of these emergency placements were inadequate, and that professional responses were often tardy. Again, the significance of time, place and event suggests that models of crisis-intervention (Payne, 2014), along with life-course theory, may be apposite conceptual tools to promote accurate empathy and sensitive interventions.…”

“…To reiterate, though, there is evidence (O'Brien, 2012) that kinship carers face additional demands arising from their impecuniosity, unfamiliarity with social work systems, and complex family relationships. Generally speaking, they are more likely to be unemployed, have subordinate educational attainments, and are located in lower socio-economic social classes than non-kinship foster carers (Cuddeback, 2004).…”

“…There is a pressing requirement, therefore, to carry out an up-to-date review of these carers' needs. Such information is needed to drive the development of responsive, person-centred services for this population (O'Brien, 2012).…”

Family Contact for Children in Kinship Care: A Literature Review

“…We note that a kinship care special edition of (US) Journal of Family Social Work is forthcoming in 2013/2014. Some publications from the authors' Family Links study will be briefly described (Kiraly & Humphreys, 2011, 2012, 2013. Apart from these, one other British research study with a dedicated research focus on family contact in kinship care was identified (Roth, Tunnard, Lindley, Gaye, & Ashley, 2011).…”

Resource Workers’ Relationships with Foster Parents

“…There is attention to the importance of having confidence in self and each other (Finn and Kerman 2004) based on self-awareness of own values and perspectives on family issues and fostering (O'Brien 2012). Trusting this knowledge and experience is important (Saleh 2013) as a foundation for assertive and meaningful communication (MacGregor et al 2006).…”