<i>“I Remember the First Time I Went into Foster Care - It’s a Long Story ...”</i>: Children, Permanent Parents, and Other Supportive Adults Talk About the Experience of Moving from One Family to Another<sup>⋆</sup>

O’Neill, Cas

doi:10.5172/jfs.327.10.2.205

Cited by 19 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…Foster children and youth have reported wanting adequate time for foster caregivers to “earn” their trust (Mitchell, Kuczynski, Tubbs, & Ross, 2010), to frequently take part in family activities, meaningful interactions (Brannen, Heptinstall, & Bhopal, 2000; O’Neill, 2004; Whiting & Lee Ill, 2003), and consistent rules, boundaries, and a sense of security (Brannen et al, 2000; O’Neill, 2004). Despite this research there are no in-depth and cohesive descriptions of the litany of characteristics that comprise supportive foster family relationships.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

In search of connection: The foster youth and caregiver relationship

Storer

Barkan

Stenhouse

et al. 2014

Children and Youth Services Review

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Placement instability is an ongoing challenge for the 125,000 foster youth aged 14 – 18 that are living in foster care, with youth living in approximately 3 placements before aging out of the system. Despite the importance caring adult relationships can play in promoting positive youth development and resiliency, there has been limited inquiry into the characteristics of the foster youth and caregiver relationship. The goal of this paper is to provide a descriptive account of the foster youth and caregiver relationship, and explore what qualities and experiences foster youth desire from their caregivers. Qualitative data were gathered from 9 focus groups. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis approaches. Foster youth, caregivers, and child welfare staff described relationships lacking in formative bonds and connection, where youth didn’t “fit in”, and chaotic homes marked by reactivity and judgment. Characteristics of supportive foster homes include a sense of belonging, structure, guidance, and consistency. This research underscores the important role positive relationships can play in foster youth’s feelings of well-being and points to the need for foster parent training to include tangible strategies to develop stronger bonds.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

In search of connection: The foster youth and caregiver relationship

Storer

Barkan

Stenhouse

et al. 2014

Children and Youth Services Review

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“…As research continues to highlight (e.g. O'Neil, 2004), adults who were raised in foster care consistently report positive experiences of care, and are often highly capable of telling their stories and providing alternate accounts of foster care. Whilst it is important to recognise that the capacity of children to understand the full implications of disclosing their identity, as well as relating personal experiences to a third party, is the subject of ongoing ethical and legal debate (Goddard & Saunders, 2001), a focus on the stories of adults who were raised in foster care may go some way towards alleviating these ethical and legal dilemmas, whilst nonetheless providing alternate perspectives on foster care within the media.…”

Section: New Directionsmentioning

confidence: 94%

“Children Out of Place”

Riggs¹,

King²,

Delfabbro³

et al. 2009

Journal of Children and Media

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“…For example, many Australian children in OOHC tell us that contact with birth parents, especially mothers, is needed and important (CREATE Foundation, 2014;O'Neill, 2004). Many would like to see their birth parents more often (CREATE Foundation, 2013).…”

mentioning

confidence: 97%

“…However, children also often describe relationships with birth parents as complicated and disappointing. Indeed, some children say they would prefer not to have contact with their birth parents, and dislike being forced to do so (Bessell, 2011;CREATE Foundation, 2009Kiraly, 2011;Kiraly & Humphreys, 2011O'Neill, 2004).…”

mentioning

confidence: 97%