Center: Infographic: Recommendations for Care Reform

Recommendations for Care Reform:

Perspectives of Adults Who Were Separated From Parental Care During Childhood

There has been a significant effort to reform alternative care services for children and youth separated from parental care in recent years. It is important to highlight the voices of care experienced adults, who may be able to provide valuable insight into how services could be improved for children currently in care.

According to survey results from

542

adults who were separated from parental care and resided in alternative care settings during childhood

Key Themes

In their own words

Child Focus

Participants highlighted the value of child participation and a focus on individual needs in care decisions.

Training for Service Providers

“Better education and training for caregivers "

Access to Information about Origin

“All children need unrestricted access to their records."

Child Participation in Care Decisions

"If I could change one thing it would be that ALL caregivers were more traumainformed "

“Openness and full disclosure with the child about biological family of origin history."

“I feel it is critically important for the children who are removed to stay informed and have a true understanding of what is happening I remember having no idea what was happening in my life That feeling led to significant fear ”

Access to Support

Participants called for more access to robust long-term support and services

Availability of Support Services

“For me its financially, spiritually, and emotionally support [sic]"

The Value of Peer Support

“Also have a huge need for emotional support and counseling "

“To have someone he can really talk with someone in his age that will understand his pain, and support him ”

Support During the Transition to Adulthood “Make sure that [there] are aftercare support services for children who have left care "

"When they are discharged they are expected to fend for themselves and be grownups, while the same children not in care are being supported by their relatives and parents ”

from 12 Global South nations

The Need for Family

Participants also strongly supported family-based placements for children in care

System Reform

"Create a family based care model/system that supports the community and families as well as strengthening the families."

The Importance of Family Preservation

“Family love and care is the most important thing ever

“Society needs to prevent the conditions that lead to separation and relinquishment and fight to keep children within at least an extended kin situation.”

Maintaining Contact with Biological Family Members

“Ensuring they have on-going and regular contact with their parents, siblings, family and extended family ”

Adults who have previously been in alternative care have powerful and unique perspectives that could supplement current research and better inform the care reform process

children

Turn the page for seven recommendations based on this insight

"Our voices must serve a central role as we consider policies and practices for serving vulnerable

and families "

Recommendations for Care Reform:

Perspectives of Adults Who Were Separated From Parental Care During Childhood Recommendations

Prevent Family Separation

One way to prevent the negative outcomes associated with alternative care is to prevent separation Indeed, research suggests that separation can often be prevented with family strengthening support Further, there is increasing evidence that families who have been separated can be successfully reintegrated with appropriate support

Prioritize Family Care

Research has suggested better outcomes for children in alternative family care than for children in residential settings This can be done by helping biological families to remain intact or by providing alternative family care services such as kinship care, adoption, and foster care

Build Capacity in Service Providers

A consistent desire of participants was for greater training and capacity for service providers serving vulnerable children. There was also a call for training in trauma-informed care.

Increase Transparency With Youth in Care

Research has supported the positive impact of child participation in care decisions on care outcomes Rather than decisions being made solely by professionals, there is increasing recognition that children and youth should be involved in care decisions at developmentally appropriate levels

Create Opportunities for Connection

The most dominant theme was for connection with biological families One key point was that contact should be with the permission and desire of the child, not only of the parent or service provider If contact with parents is not safe or wanted, pursuing other relationships, such as those with siblings, grandparents, or other extended family, can be a valuable alternative for helping the child to remain connected to his or her family, history, & culture.

Increase Access to Support Services for Children in Care

Understanding that separation from parental care is a serious adversity for children, there may be many needs that arise for children in care Ensuring access to support services across domains will improve the likelihood of positive outcomes.

Provide Navigation Support for Transitions

Participants revealed that even when support existed during childhood, the transition to adulthood was often unsupported Anxiety surrounding the transition to adulthood can be reduced by professionals, policymakers, and researchers prioritizing navigation support before, during, and after the transition to adulthood