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Foster carers require high-quality training to support them in caring for children with trauma-related difficulties.
This paper describes a mixed methods approach that was applied to evaluate the complex intervention Fostering Connections: The Trauma-Informed Foster Care Programme, a recently developed trauma-informed psycho-educational intervention for foster carers in Ireland. A quantitative outcome evaluation and a qualitative process evaluation were integrated to capture a comprehensive understanding of the effects of this complex intervention. A convergent mixed methods model with…
Many young people in foster care experience significant mental health difficulties, leading to attendance at services where engaging them in psychotherapy that adequately meets their diverse needs is an ongoing challenge. There is a dearth of research exploring the experiences of young people in foster care, and even less on their experiences of therapeutic engagement. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), individual interviews were conducted with seven young people in foster care about their experiences of psychotherapy. Four superordinate themes were identified: being…
Developing consistent collaborative working relationships between foster carers and social workers are important as they impact fostering stability and thus, the outcomes of children in foster care. This paper suggests a new framework, Trauma-informed Foster Care that was developed to reflect the experience of the Irish foster care system, may be helpful to support more collaborative practices between foster carers and social workers in an Irish context. Firstly, the paper explores the relationships between foster carers and social workers drawing on relevant literature. Secondly, the Trauma-…
Abstract
The literature on alternative care focuses overwhelmingly on formal, court-ordered placements; voluntary care placements are discussed less frequently. Least attention of all has been given to informal kinship care placements, where a child is cared for by relatives but is not formally in the legal care of state authorities. In Ireland, these placements, when facilitated by state authorities in lieu of a care order or voluntary care agreement, are known by professionals as ‘private family arrangements’. This article explores evidence which shows that the use of such arrangements…
Abstract
Fostering stability is at the core of foster care as it is the pathway for children to experience enduring relationships (Vanderwill et al., 2020). However, in practice, achieving stability can be challenging as it is a multifaceted phenomenon. A unique research collaborative was set up in 2016 between Tusla, the Child and Family Agency and University College Cork (UCC) that had an overarching aim to reduce fostering instability. The research project sought to contribute to addressing the challenges of achieving fostering stability by applying the approach of…
This report reviews specific national and international legal developments for the protection of children in Ireland; examines the scope and application of specific existing or proposed legislative provisions and to make comments/recommendations as appropriate; and reports on specific developments in legislation or litigation in relevant jurisdictions.
Chapter 1 of the report provides an examination and discussion of the findings of reports of national and international bodies published during 2019 in relation to child protection in Ireland.
Chapter 2 considers section 3 of…
Abstract:
The current status of the effectiveness of trauma-informed interventions for foster carers can be described as an emergent body of knowledge. This paper examines the implications of trauma-informed care research recently carried out in Ireland. The research produced an evidenced-based trauma-informed care psychoeducational group-based program for foster carers. The introduction of this systemically developed trauma-informed care program for foster carers is a new departure within child services in Ireland. The implications of this research are discussed in the context of…
Abstract
A strong rationale for the collective participation of young people in care regarding decisions related to their care experience is evident in literature and statutory reports. However international research demonstrates challenges relating to participation in the childcare system. This includes context specific factors relating to issues in the field of child protection and welfare, along with more universal challenges such as access and diversity of representation, the imposition of adult formats and agendas and limits to the level of influence achieved. This paper reflects on…
Abstract
Background
The need to improve the quality of foster care training has been highlighted and evidenced-based programs that aim to support foster carers in the care of children who have experienced trauma are warranted.
Objective
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Fostering Connections program, a newly developed trauma-informed care program within the national child welfare agency in Ireland.
Participants and setting
The study included 79 foster carers. The Fostering Connections group-based experiential…
Abstract
Research examining the low educational attainment of children in care and care leavers tends to under-use social theory (Berridge, 2007). To contribute to addressing this gap, we use life course theory to explore the role of agency in shaping the educational pathways of 18 Irish adults (aged 24–36 years) with care experience. Findings suggest that agency is a valuable conceptual tool for examining the nuance and complexity of how individual actions shape the education of care-experienced adults throughout the life course and interact with contextual and structural factors over…