ERIC Number: EJ1420579
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1357-5279
EISSN: EISSN-1476-489X
Available Date: N/A
Exploring Foster Carers' Experiences of the Assessment and Feedback Processes of Children in Their Care
Saul Hillman; Katharine Anderson; Christina Demetri; Richard Cross
Child Care in Practice, v30 n2 p75-94 2024
To date, there is a lack of suitable assessment tools specifically for the looked after child population. Such assessments, often completed by foster carers, help to provide an overview of a child's presenting level of emotional and behavioural need, and are evidential in offering a pathway to further provision and services for young people in care. This study explores perspectives of foster carers working at one UK-based independent fostering agency, Five Rivers Child Care (FRCC). The twofold study, conducted in 2017, involved understanding foster carers' perceptions both of routine assessments and subsequent feedback procedures; activities which are mandatory to facilitate foster carers' understanding of the wellbeing needs of the young people within their care. In Study 1, an online quantitative survey established foster carers' (n = 42) experiences of assessment and intervention, over a six-month timeframe. Study 2, conducted with a subsample of carers (n = 6) used telephone interviews to provide additional qualitative insight. The findings of both studies were consistent, highlighting the need for enhanced relevance of assessments, active involvement in the assessment process, more knowledge of the process; greater support with assessments; and further opportunity to self-reflect. The paper reflects on how the findings resulted in developments within the FRCC assessment process in 2018, including adaptations and additions to its protocol, with the aims of improving outcomes for children in care services, increasing collaboration and support, and enhancing reflection and practice. These findings have allowed for assessments to be tailored or changed, with carers being far more involved and informed of the process, resulting in improved practice and enhanced learning about this population. Furthermore, this study has wider implications beyond FRCC: the extracted themes are likely to be highly pertinent and applicable across similar populations, with assessment protocols enhancing understanding about the expectations and challenges that might emerge within this population.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Foster Care, Child Caregivers, Childhood Needs, Caregiver Attitudes, Evaluation, Feedback (Response), Program Improvement, Experience
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A