Displaying 1 - 10 of 42
Abstract
Background
The mental health and well-being of care-experienced children and young people remains a concern. Despite a range of interventions, the existing evidence base is limited in scope, with a reliance on standalone outcome evaluations which limits understanding of how contextual factors influence implementation and acceptability. The care-experienced children and young people’s interventions to improve mental health and well-being outcomes systematic review (CHIMES) aimed to synthesise evidence of intervention theory, outcome, process and economic effectiveness. This…
Removal from family of origin to state care can be a highly challenging childhood experience and is itself linked to an array of unfavourable outcomes in adult life. This systematic review aimed to synthetise evidence on the risk of adult mortality in people with a history of state care in early life, and assess the association according to different contexts.
The present synthesis of existing evidence found that the excess risk of adult mortality in this group was not attributable to other measures of adversity captured in included studies, suggesting that, in the countries…
ABSTRACT
Young people in residential out-of-home care often exhibit health and psychosocial challenges, which can emerge from childhood trauma. A body of research has examined the wellbeing of these young people; however, the ways in which interventions and practice models can improve the health and psychosocial wellbeing of young people in out-of-home care remains unclear. A systematic review was conducted to examine the effectiveness of interventions and practice models for improving health and psychosocial outcomes of young people in residential care and to identify relevant knowledge…
Abstract
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Australia noted that child sexual exploitation (CSE) was a significant issue of concern for children and young people in residential care, as increasing rates of sexual abuse and exploitation are continually reported. Employing a systematic scoping methodology, this review examined the scope and breadth of literature focusing on children and young people living in residential care in Australia who have experienced sexual exploitation. Findings indicate that peer to peer sexual re-victimisation is a serious…
Abstract
Of the substantial literature on interventions to improve the poor health of children in out of home care, little focuses on lifestyle factors such as physical activity. This review identifies if physical activity interventions are effective for this population, and if so which type of activity and for what health outcomes. A systematic review of 14 social science and physical activity databases was conducted in November 2019. Included articles examined the effect of a physical activity intervention on any health or wellbeing outcome, for children or adolescents under 20 years of…
Abstract
Postsecondary education outcomes of Australian care leavers are not systematically documented. Complexities of a federal system of government, and the early conclusion of corporate parenting responsibilities (usually when those in care reach 18 years of age) have restricted the ability to track educational progress. Historically, a lack of national data on care leavers in higher education has contributed to policy inertia and a culture of low educational expectations and outcomes. Extending the quantitative evidence base is critical to improving these outcomes and developing…
Abstract
High quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) from age 3 may promote early learning, reduce vulnerability and narrow achievement gaps between children in care and their peers. Children from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds have lower rates of participation in a formal early childhood program than children generally. However, little is known about the rate of ECEC attendance among children in out-of-home care (OHC); the type, amount and quality of service they experience as well as the factors that may create a barrier to access. This chapter from the book…
Abstract
Early parenthood is associated with a range of adverse health, economic and social outcomes. Young people in and exiting out-of-home care (OoHC) are more likely than their peers to become parents at an early age, and less likely to receive consistent support from their families. While previous literature reviews on this topic have primarily focused on the experiences of young parents with an OoHC background, the perspectives of practitioners and foster care providers are also integral to strengthening policies and practices to support this cohort. A systematic search of four…
Abstract
In Australia and internationally, Indigenous children are seriously overrepresented in the child welfare system. This article provides an overview of literature investigating the needs of Indigenous children in residential care facilities. The provision of culturally safe and trauma-informed therapeutic care to Indigenous children and young people in residential care recognizes that the trauma and violence that they have experienced is exacerbated by their Indigeneity due to the colonial histories presenting. Utilizing a systematic scoping review methodology, the study returned a…
Abstract
This paper reviews the literature on human relational factors and their impact on complex care systems for a highly vulnerable population of children and young people in out‐of‐home care (OOHC). Factors contributing to the functioning of collaborative OOHC systems are reviewed from theoretical and contextual perspectives. The authors posit that secondary traumatic stress and vicarious trauma are central to understanding the impact of relational trauma and the experience of individuals, families, teams, and the wider ecology of collaborative care systems. Given the challenges of…