Post on 29-Dec-2015
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
Contact between, and Placement of Siblings in Out-of-Home Care
Dr Joseph J. McDowallExecutive Director (Research)
CREATE Foundation
Visiting FellowSchool of Public Health and Social Work
Queensland University of Technology
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
How did project develop?
Sibling Placement:
Grew out of findings relating to Family Contact in CREATE’s 2013 Report Card
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
Mean frequency of Contact ratings with family members
Weekly
Not at all
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
% CYP having designated level of contact with family members
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
Sibling Placements
Together: All siblings in care located in the same placement
Splintered: Child or young person placed with at least one sibling
Split: Child or young person separated from siblings who are located in other placements
(Hegar & Rosenthal, 2011)
Alone: Child or young person has siblings but is the only family member in care
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
National Average
% CYP in Split placements
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
% CYP in Split placements
National Average
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
Department of Social ServicesState and Territory Governments &
NGOs 1160 children and young people in OOHC surveyed
Concentrated on Sibling Placement
Stratified by Age, Sex, Culture, and Care Type as well as Jurisdictions*
* (WA Department for Child Protection and Family Support subsequently requested that the data from children and young people in that state not be presented in this report)
Through Collaboration with:
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
Preferred outcomes:
Where possible and appropriate, keep siblings Together or in Splintered placements;
If not possible, ensure that contact between siblings is facilitated if desired by child or young person.
Extensive literature review
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
Children and Young Persons’ Questions• Demographics
• Care history
• Do you live with any of your brothers or sisters from your birth family?
• Are any of your brothers or sisters from your birth family living in care but not with you?
• Family contact
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
Children and Young Persons’ Survey• Governments assisted in locating interested
participants
• About half were randomly selected from care
population
• Others were randomly selected from members of
clubCREATE
• Data were collected through online survey or through structured interviews conducted face-to-face or by telephone
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
Distribution of Participants by Age within the Australian Jurisdictions
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
Distribution of Participants by Sex, Culture, and Care Type
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
Caseworker Survey• Online survey• Respondents given the opportunity to record
information about a maximum of 20 cases:o Time in careo Time as caseworkero Amount of contact per yearo Number of siblingso Number of siblings in careo Number of siblings in same placement
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
Caseworker Questions• Awareness of sibling placement policy?
• What personal principles followed?
• How successful in placing siblings together?
• What has made the placing of siblings together
difficult?
• How important is it to help siblings maintain contact?
• How involved in maintaining contact?
• How difficult has it been to arrange contact?
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
Caseworker Survey
Number of cases sampled: 1022 Govt: 47%; NGO: 53%
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
ACT (n = 17)
NSW (n = 236)
NT (n = 54)
QLD (n = 200)
SA (n = 78)
TAS (n = 120)
VIC (n = 109)
WA (n = 55)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
29
34
43
28
18 16
32 36
29
36
28
41
29
45
25
31
41
29 30 32
53
39 43
33
Together Splintered Split
Jurisdiction
Pe
rce
nta
ge
Mean frequency of contact ratings with family members
% Together, Splintered, and Split sibling placements over Jurisdictions (Children and Young People)
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
ACT (n = 26)
NSW (n = 277)
NT (n = 48)
QLD (n = 40)
SA (n = 43)
TAS (n = 144)
VIC (n = 39)
WA (n = 53)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
46
38
46
3328
43
51
45
15
2925
35
14
22
8
3638
3329
33
58
35
41
19
Together Splintered Split
Jurisdiction
Pe
rce
nta
ge
% Together, Splintered, and Split sibling placements over Jurisdictions (Caseworkers)
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
ACT (n = 17)
NSW (n = 236)
NT (n = 54)
QLD (n = 200)
SA (n = 78)
TAS (n = 120)
VIC (n = 109)
WA (n = 55)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
29
34
43
28
18 16
32
36
29
36
28
41
29
45
25
31
41
29 30 32
53
39 43
33
Together Splintered Split
Jurisdiction
Pe
rce
nta
ge
Mean frequency of contact ratings with family members
% Together, Splintered, and Split sibling placements over Jurisdictions (Children and Young People and
Caseworkers [coloured])
46
38
46
33
28
43
51
45
15
2925
35
14
22
8
3638
33
2933
58
35
41
19
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
% Together, Splintered, and Split sibling placements over Age Groups (Children and Young People)
8–9 (n = 136) 10–14 (n = 497) 15–17 (n = 236)0
10
20
30
40
50
60
28 31
26
50
35
27 22
34
47
Together Splintered Split
Age
Pe
rce
nta
ge
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
% Together, Splintered, and Split sibling placements over Age Groups (Caseworkers)
8–9 (n = 89) 10–14 (n = 181) 15–17 (n = 139)0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
54
27 2427
33
1719
41
58
Together Splintered Split
Age (Years)
Pe
rce
nta
ge
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
% Together, Splintered, and Split sibling placements over Age Groups (Children and Young People and
Caseworkers [coloured])
8–9 (n = 136) 10–14 (n = 497) 15–17 (n = 236)0
10
20
30
40
50
60
28 31
26
50
35
27 22
34
47
Together Splintered Split
Age
Pe
rce
nta
ge
54
27 2427
33
1719
41
58
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
% Together, Splintered, and Split sibling placements over Cultural Groups (Children and Young People)
Indigenous (n = 264)
AngloAus (n = 549) Other (n = 56)0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
29 2834
41
34
23
30
3843
Together Splintered Split
Culture
Pe
rce
nta
ge
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
% Together, Splintered, and Split sibling placements over Cultural Groups (Caseworkers)
Indigenous (n = 191)
AngloAus (n = 398) Other (n = 65)0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
48
33
58
2530
3
27
38 38
Together Splintered Split
Culture
Pe
rce
nta
ge
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
% Together, Splintered, and Split sibling placements over Cultural Groups (Children and Young People and
Caseworkers [coloured])
Indigenous (n = 264)
AngloAus (n = 549) Other (n = 56)0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
29 2834
41
34
23
30
3843
Together Splintered Split
Culture
Pe
rce
nta
ge 48
33
58
2530
3
27
38 38
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
Foster (n = 482)
Kinship (n = 228)
Resi (n = 90) Permnt (n = 37)
Other (n = 32)0
10
20
30
40
50
60
23
43
27
35
19
41
34
19 22
25
36
23
54
43
56
Together Splintered Split
Care Type
Pe
rce
nta
ge
% Together, Splintered, and Split sibling placements over Care Type
(Children and Young People)
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
% Together, Splintered, and Split sibling placements over Care Type (Caseworkers)
Foster (n = 398)
Kinship (n = 189)
Residential (n = 64)
Other (n = 12)0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
36
54
27
42
2724
20
0
37
22
5358
Together Splintered Split
Care Type
Pe
rce
nta
ge
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
Foster (n = 482)
Kinship (n = 228)
Resi (n = 90) Permnt (n = 37)
Other (n = 32)0
10
20
30
40
50
60
23
43
27
35
19
41
34
19 22
25
36
23
54
43
56
Together Splintered Split
Care Type
Pe
rce
nta
ge
% Together, Splintered, and Split sibling placements over Care Type
(Children and Young People and Caseworkers [coloured])
36
54
27
42
2724
20
0
37
22
53
58
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
% Together, Splintered, and Split sibling placements over Disability
(Children and Young People)
No Disability (n = 677) Disability (n = 127)0
10
20
30
40
50
60
30 26
37
29 33
45
Together Splintered Split
Disability
Pe
rce
nta
ge
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
Mother Father Grandparents Relatives1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Together Splintered Split Alone
Family Member
Fre
qu
en
cy o
f C
on
tact
Together, Splintered, Split, and Alone placement and Family Contact
(Children and Young People)
Weekly
Not at all
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
Together (n = 275)
Splintered (n = 400)
Split (n = 437) Alone (n = 255)0
10
20
30
40
24
17 19 20
3633
3032
0
79
14
2123 23 24
19
25 25
20
Mother Father Siblings Grandparents Relatives
Sibling Placement Condition
Pe
rce
nta
ge
% Together, Splintered, Split, and Alone placements having NO Contact with Family Member (not living with)
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
Together Splintered Split Alone1
2
3
4
5
6
Carer Caseworker
Sibling Placement Condition
Leve
l o
f S
up
po
rt
Carers’ and Caseworkers’ support for maintaining family contact in Together, Splintered, Split, and Alone
placements
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
Comments from Children and Young People regarding support for maintaining contact
“Phoning my mum, taking me to see her, picking her up so we can have time together. Phoning my sister and her carer so I can see her.” (Male, 13 years) “Like they tell me reasons why I should keep in touch with my family, like my family is important sort of thing.” (Female, 12 years)
“Not very much support because my caseworkers are always changing and I have hardly any contact with them.” (Female, 16 years)
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
Overall findings %
Quite or Very connected 33
Somewhat or Reasonably connected 36
Little or No connection 31
Cultural Support Plan 12
Sibling Placement with Indigenous Children and Young People (n = 329)
• No significant differences in level of connectedness with culture based on sibling placement condition (Together, Splintered, or Split)
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
How successful have you been in ensuring that children and young people in your care are placed together with siblings?
Caseworker Survey
Outcome %
Quite or Very Successful 17
Little or No Success 30
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
What have you been able to do, if anything, to help place siblings from one family together? (105 comments)
Caseworker Survey
Action%
SupportRecruit, assess, and encourage suitable carers 24Advocate to decision makers for Together/Splintered placements
24
Provide resources to support carers who place large groups
21
Use kinship care for larger groups 9Place close geographically if not together 3
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
Factor % Support
Carer capacity to handle the family unit both emotionally and physically
35
Behavioural problems (e.g., sibling conflict; externalizing behaviour)
22
Size of family unit 18Special needs (e.g., disabilities) 16Parental issues (e.g., siblings with different fathers) 5Bureaucracy (e.g., siblings placed in different jurisdictions) 5
Caseworker SurveyWhat factors, if any, have made it difficult to place all siblings from one family together? (128 comments)
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
Concept
% Caseworkers giving ratings
High(Quite or Very)
Low(Little or None)
Importance 97 0
Involvement 70 7
Difficulty 20 27
Caseworker Survey
Ratings of Importance, Involvement, and Difficulty of organizing Sibling Contact
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
Caseworker Survey
“When removing children from family it is an extremely traumatising time for young people and if we are able to reduce any additional trauma by placing them with familiar people who are siblings then I will advocate for this strongly.” (NT Caseworker)
“Advocate for improved support for foster carers, to enable more potential carers to be recruited who could possible care for sibling group.” (VIC Caseworker)
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
Caseworker Survey
“Sibling contact is not prioritised enough. Siblings are the longest relationship most CYP will have and we have a duty to assist in maintaining and sustaining those relationships. Siblings may be the most crucial support to each other post 18.” (NSW Caseworker)
Joseph J. McDowall © 2014
ACWA 2014: Children in a Changing World, Sydney, August 18 – 20, 2014
Questions?