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

Abstract

This study describes an investigation into the characteristics, needs and experiences of kinship foster carers in Northern Ireland. A number of salient themes were captured by adopting a mixed-methods approach with 54 carers. It was found that the respondents were predominantly grandparents who experienced a significant incidence of health-related issues. The cohort also endured high levels of stress, particularly at the beginning stage of the placement. Consequently, their need for practical, emotional and respite support was most evident. In terms of the children for whom they cared, many required help at school, and some presented with challenging emotions and behaviours. Overall, these findings emphasised the importance of relationship-based social work and demonstration of accurate empathy to the carer.

CARE: The development of an intervention for kinship carers with teenage children

“…The rich qualitative data reported here gives a sense of the lived multiple adversities which kinship carers, particularly grandparents, constantly confront. The ‘carer strain' – to use Farmer's (2009 : 339) apt phrase – was revealed also in this study, as it was also in Australian studies ( Dunne and Kettler, 2008 ; Orb and Davey, 2005 ), in Houston et al. 's (2017) Irish study of carers of mainly teenagers, and in Leder et al.…”

“…The most common reasons for relatives becoming kinship carers are when birth-parents abuse or abandon a child, have drug and alcohol problems, are incarcerated, are ill, or have died. A child may also be given kinship care when there is domestic violence ( Houston et al., 2017 : 8). These difficult circumstances can present many challenges for both the carer and the child.…”

“…This accords with European data which found that maternal grandmothers, followed by maternal grandfathers, provided the most care for their grandchildren ( Danielsbacka et al., 2011 ). Grandparental kinship carers report high levels of stress ( Dunne and Kettler, 2008 ; Farmer, 2009 : 340; Houston et al., 2017 : 12; Leder et al., 2007 ; Orb and Davey, 2005 ). Our premise is that carers are likely to feel better-equipped in their caring role if their stress levels are reduced, and if they are supported in their own wellbeing.…”

“…Kinship carers tend to live in materially deprived areas, have relatively low educational achievement, and are less healthy than the average population (Houston et al, 2017). The most common reasons for relatives becoming kinship carers are when birth-parents abuse or abandon a child, have drug and alcohol problems, are incarcerated, are ill, or have died.…”

What’s in the Numbers? Child Welfare Statistics and the Children (Northern Ireland) Order

“…Administrative data are 'a powerful torch with which to shed light' (Courtney, 2008: 286) and yet are not used sufficiently. For example neither a Northern Ireland Assembly Research Paper (Black 2012) nor a DHSSPS commissioned report (Houston et al 2015) on kinship care address the statistical trends noted above. The availability of trend data should be appreciated as a strength of the Northern Ireland child welfare system.…”