Providing behaviour management training. A US study20 explored the impact of providing KEEP, a parent Wherever possible, placement training program to foster and kinship carers who were changes should only if caring for children with significant behaviour problems. they are in the best interests of The KEEP program is designed to increase positive the child. parenting, decrease externalizing child behaviours and increase placement stability. The study included a There is preliminary evidence comparison group who did not take part in the program. indicating that each of the KEEP participation was associated with lower levels of following can increase the placement instability and child behaviour problems. placement stability of children in out-of-home care: Supporting carers. Victoria has been trialling a therapeutic foster care program called the Circle Parent training targeting child Program21. This program emphasises the importance of characteristics associated with the carer-child relationship and focuses on providing placement disruption such as therapeutic services to support carers with ‘wrap-around’ behaviour problems. their role. Carers have access to all information about the child and are considered a key part of the care team. Supports and services that Circle Program participation was associated with lower highlight the value of carers levels of placement instability and higher levels of carer and provide them with retention and wellbeing. appropriate support. This can also increase carers’ Restructuring services. A US study 22 explored the impact of integrating services and its impact on reducing satisfaction with their role and instability. It compared agencies that offered both child improve carer retention. protection and mental health services with those that had up’ services, such as ‘Joined separate child protection and mental health services. co-located child protection Adolescents attending the combined services or those and mental health services. services offering joint training for their child protection and Collaborative services can mental health workers experienced lower levels of offer a range of other benefits placement instability to children and families. Amending legislation. A Canadian study 23 examined the effect of Quebec’s 2007 changes to its Youth Legislation and policies Protection Act. The changes made foster care time-limited promoting permanency. with subsequent orders needing to make permanent living arrangements for the child. The introduction of the Act was associated with lower levels of placement instability. * This paper was prepared by Dr Rosie Teague at the Queensland Family and Child Commission.
Wherever possible, placement changes should only if they are in the best interests of the child. There is preliminary evidence indicating that each of the following can increase the placement stability of children in out-of-home care: Parent training targeting child characteristics associated with placement disruption such as behaviour problems. Supports and services that highlight the value of carers and provide them with appropriate support. This can also increase carers’ satisfaction with their role and improve carer retention. ‘Joined up’ services, such as co-located child protection and mental health services. Collaborative services can offer a range of other benefits to children and families. Legislation and policies promoting permanency. Providing behaviour management training. A US study20 explored the impact of providing KEEP, a parent training program to foster and kinship carers who were caring for children with significant behaviour problems. The KEEP program is designed to increase positive parenting, decrease externalizing child behaviours and increase placement stability. The study included a comparison group who did not take part in the program. KEEP participation was associated with lower levels of placement instability and child behaviour problems. Supporting carers. Victoria has been trialling a therapeutic foster care program called the Circle Program21. This program emphasises the importance of the carer-child relationship and focuses on providing ‘wrap-around’ therapeutic services to support carers with their role. Carers have access to all information about the child and are considered a key part of the care team. Circle Program participation was associated with lower levels of placement instability and higher levels of carer retention and wellbeing. Restructuring services. A US study 22 explored the impact of integrating services and its impact on reducing instability. It compared agencies that offered both child protection and mental health services with those that had separate child protection and mental health services. Adolescents attending the combined services or those services offering joint training for their child protection and mental health workers experienced lower levels of placement instability Amending legislation. A Canadian study 23 examined the effect of Quebec’s 2007 changes to its Youth Protection Act. The changes made foster care time-limited with subsequent orders needing to make permanent living arrangements for the child. The introduction of the Act was associated with lower levels of placement instability. * This paper was prepared by Dr Rosie Teague at the Queensland Family and Child Commission.
research-summary-placement-stability_0.DOCX