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The Voices of Foster Carers: a Western Australian Study

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The Voices of Foster Carers: a Western Australian Study CONNECTION AND RELATIONSHIP IN CARE– THE VOICES OF FOSTER CARERS: A WESTERN AUSTRALIAN STUDY Stephan John Lund BA (UWA) 1989 BSW (Hons.) (UWA) 2000 This thesis is presented for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of The University of Western Australia, School of Population Health, Discipline of Social Work and Social Policy . 2017 Explanatory note about the title of this thesis ‘The heart connection and the relationship’ is a quote from a foster carer who was involved in this study. The foster carer was summarising what she feels is required of foster carers in providing care for children that will promote a sense of permanence and internal stability. The quote comes from the following paragraph: ‘But also knowing that chapters do come to a close…like we all as grownups leave our jobs and go find something else or move house or move country, not everything has to have permanence but in the big picture there has to be some sense of connection and I think that’s the heart connection and the relationship that just the whole picture expands more to contain that.’ (Participant 9). I chose to paraphrase part of this quote to include in the title of the thesis as it contains two key words which pertain to the essence of this study, from the voice of a foster carer. 2 Thesis Declaration I, Stephan John Lund, certify that: This thesis has been substantially accomplished during enrolment in the degree. This thesis does not contain material which has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma in my name, in any university or other tertiary institution. No part of this work will, in the future, be used in a submission in my name, for any other degree or diploma in any university or other tertiary institution without the prior approval of The University of Western Australia and where applicable, any partner institution responsible for the joint-award of this degree. This thesis does not contain any material previously published or written by another person, except where due reference has been made in the text. The work(s) are not in any way a violation or infringement of any copyright, trademark, patent, or other rights whatsoever of any person. The research involving human data reported in this thesis was assessed and approved by The University of Western Australia Human Research Ethics Committee. Approval#: RA/4/1/2221. Written participant consent has been received and archived for the research involving participant data reported in this thesis. Eris Jane Harrison provided professional copy editing, in accordance with the guidelines laid out in the university-endorsed national ‘Guidelines for editing research theses’ (email: [email protected]). This thesis does not contain work that I have published, nor work under review for publication. Signature: Date: 4 April, 2018 3 Abstract There is an overall paucity of research to support an adequate evidence base for practice and policy decisions in Australian foster care. In particular, the voices of foster carers are largely missing from the literature and discussion around what works in foster care. This is a gap which means that there is not enough known about the critical mediating role that foster carers play in the child’s journey in care. Foster carers’ understanding of their role and of their place within the foster care system are components of knowledge required to enhance the care they provide. This study looks specifically at the foster carers’ part in assisting children to achieve a sense of permanence and stability as part of their experience of care. As foster care has become more professionalised and the State as Corporate Parent has taken more responsibility for children in State care, the role of foster care has become more complex and demanding. The data gathered in this study from in-depth interviews with foster carers in Perth, Western Australia, informs the development of a new relationship-based framework of fostering which emphasises the importance of critical elements of the foster care role. The findings of this study relate to the understanding that foster carers have of their role, their knowledge of and connection to the fostering system and how they perform their task, as key mediating influences on children in their care. The need for foster carers to nurture a sense of belonging and identity in children and to have the time and skills to build a mediating relationship with the child in their care were reported by many of the research participants. The necessity for fostering agencies and support staff to provide individualised support to foster carers was also an important message from this study. Rather than a ‘one size fits all’ type of approach to supporting foster carers, each carer’s unique needs should be considered to ensure that they feel supported and able to meet the needs of the child in their care. 4 CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES .............................................................................................................................................. 10 LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................................................ 10 GLOSSARY OF TERMS................................................................................................................................... 11 ACRONYMS ....................................................................................................................................................... 11 DEFINITIONS ..................................................................................................................................................... 11 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 17 1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE RESEARCH ........................................................................................... 17 1.2 RESEARCH AIMS............................................................................................................................ 19 1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS ............................................................................................................... 20 1.4 KEY CONCEPTS .............................................................................................................................. 21 1.4.1 Permanence .................................................................................................................................. 21 1.4.2 Stability ......................................................................................................................................... 22 1.4.3 Internal stability............................................................................................................................ 23 1.4.4 Corporate parenting ..................................................................................................................... 24 1.5 RESEARCH CONTEXT ................................................................................................................... 24 1.5.1 The complexities of researching foster care and foster carers ..................................................... 25 1.5.2 The Western Australian foster care system in context .................................................................. 26 1.5.3 Growth in numbers of children in care ......................................................................................... 27 1.5.4 Aboriginal children in care ........................................................................................................... 27 1.6 WHAT I HOPE THIS STUDY WILL ACHIEVE ............................................................................. 28 1.7 RESEARCH DESIGN ....................................................................................................................... 28 1.7.1 Data collection.............................................................................................................................. 28 1.7.2 Study limitations ........................................................................................................................... 29 1.8 SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................................... 29 1.9 ORGANISATION OF THE THESIS ................................................................................................ 29 CHAPTER TWO: THE LITERATURE, CONTEXT AND CONCEPTS .................................................... 31 2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW STRATEGY ............................................................................................. 32 2.1.1 Plan for search of sources ............................................................................................................ 32 2.1.2 Terms of reference ........................................................................................................................ 33 2.2 SEARCH FOR KEY COMPARATOR STUDIES ............................................................................ 34 2.3 FOSTER CARE: HISTORICAL AND IDEOLOGICAL DISCOURSES ......................................... 36 2.3.1 Fostering history and discourse in Australia ................................................................................ 37 2.4.2 Prevention and reunification services .......................................................................................... 38 2.4 THE SOCIOPOLITICAL LANDSCAPE IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA .........................................
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