Search

This article describes the results of a narrative literature review on empirical research examining the outcomes and/or experiences of unaccompanied refugee minors in family foster care. The limited research, in which only 17 references were identified, suggests that family foster care is an important type of care for this group and is associated with better health and psychosocial outcomes compared to other types of care. Nevertheless, breakdown of family foster care placements is a cause for concern. Four groups of factors that influence the course of family foster care placements are discussed, namely, foster family characteristics, differences in expectations between foster parents and refugee youth, cultural differences, and contextual factors. Furthermore, practical implications and suggestions for further research are described.

Background The aim of this Flemish study (Dutch speaking part of Belgium) is to evaluate the efficacy of an intervention based on the social learning theory for foster parents who take care of a foster child (ages 3–12) with externalizing problem behaviour (a borderline or clinical score on the externalizing broad-band or on one of the externalizing problems scales of the Child Behaviour Checklist), with respect to breakdown, foster children's externalizing problems and foster mothers' parenting stress. Methods A randomized controlled trial was used to compare, at baseline, post-intervention and three-month follow-up, an intervention group (n = 30) with a treatment as usual control group (n = 33) consisting of foster parents of new placements recruited via a routine screening or on-going placements signed up by their foster care worker. The intervention consists of 10 home sessions. Results The intervention had significant small short-term en large long-term effects on externalizing problems and medium short-term and long-term effects on parenting stress. No significant effects were found on the breakdown rate. Conclusions Giving the evidence for its effects on foster children's externalizing and foster mothers' parenting stress, implementation of this foster parent intervention might increase the effectiveness of foster care.

Until recently, Flemish family foster care was a temporary measure with as its most important goal, the reunification of the foster child with the birth parents. To date, nothing is known on the number of reunifications, nor has any study been undertaken into the factors (child, parent, foster parent and foster care process) associated with reunification. Case files of 127 foster children who exited foster care in 2007 were analysed. Dependent variables were type of foster care placement outcome (reunification, successful placement without reunification or breakdown) and place of residence after placement ending (with birth parents, extended family, foster family, residential care or living independently). After placement ending, only 40% of foster children went living with their parents, including foster children who were reunified (26%) and foster children who moved to their parents after a placement breakdown (14%). Characteristics of the foster children, and in particular absence of problem behaviour, were associated mainly with a return home. This may indicate that too much attention is paid to the functioning of the foster child and too little to improving the competencies of the parents and the (future) home environment.

Family foster care placement decision-making has a weak scientific underpinning. The identification of clusters of foster children (groups of foster children with similar characteristics) can help improve decision quality. In this study, we investigated if foster children could indeed be clustered, which problems were identified at the time of placement and what might be the influence of placement history. Two clusters of foster children were found: (i) young children with coinciding parental child-rearing incapacity and familial problems, and (ii) older children with child problems. At the time of placement, familial problems were more often identified in younger children with a placement history. These findings stress the importance of approaching foster care assessment as part of a dynamic decision-making process. It is key to finding the most appropriate situation for the child. At the same time, it must be decided how the desired situation can be realized, wherein placement decisions are based on an appraisal of whether or not a foster placement is an appropriate solution. In conjunction with this, it needs to be decided how the parents can be supported towards reunification, or whether or not long-term foster care is the best option for the child, and if so what conditions need to be met.

Foster children often have behavioural problems. Behavioural problems influence the level of parenting stress and can lead to a breakdown. In this study, parenting behaviour of foster mothers is mapped, and the influence of behavioural problems and parenting stress on the parenting behaviour 2 years later is examined. Data of behavioural problems, family stress and parenting were gathered from 49 foster mothers. Problem behaviour has a direct negative impact on parenting and leads to less support and more negative control. It also results in more parenting stress. Foster parents need to be trained aiming at preventing ineffective parenting. The well-being of foster parents needs to be guarded. Higher levels of parenting stress lead to less effective parenting.

Set up as a one-group pre-test-post-test follow-up design, this study examines the outcomes of intensive family preservation services (IFPS) in Flanders addressing the following research questions: Does IFPS make a significant difference concerning (1) the interaction between parent and child? (2) social support as experienced by the parent? (3) stress and empowerment of the parent? and (4) the strengths and difficulties of the minor? Families seem to indicate that their family situation is more manageable, although still, professional help is needed. Parents feel more resilient about the situation and indicate that they can get along with their child better than before the crisis intervention. Parents still feel uncertain about the future and about their role as a parent. There seems to be no indications that their level and quality of social contacts have changed. Further research is suggested to provide more in-depth information about the conditions associated with processes of change during an IFPS intervention.