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    Relationships matter : caregiver experience of contact/access planning practice and outcomes for permanency : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work at Massey University, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2019) Nielson-Vold, Kristin
    When children are removed from parental care and placed out of home it is generally expected that birth family contact will occur. This commitment to birth family contact is based on beliefs about its psychological and emotional importance for children and is protected and enshrined in national and international policy. Literature clearly outlines, however, that birth family contact is one of the most complex and contested areas of practice for social workers and is often difficult for caregivers. This research set out to examine how caregivers in New Zealand experienced social worker practice in relation to contact planning. The aims of this research were to: critically explore caregivers’ experience of social work practice in regards to contact planning for children progressing to their permanent care; and identify processes and practices that were helpful for caregivers, pre-permanency, which supported quality outcomes post-permanency. To achieve these aims, a qualitative approach was utilised involving six semi-structured interviews of seven kin and non-kin caregivers. Research questions included: · How did caregivers’ experience social work practice in regards to contact planning? · What processes and practices were helpful for caregivers to support post-permanency outcomes? · What recommendations do caregivers have to improve quality contact outcomes post- permanency? A rather disheartening picture of social work contact practice emerged with caregiver experiences generally ranging from dissatisfying through to distressing. Several key findings were identified by caregivers in this research including, exclusion from decision-making processes, lack of information, limited support, lack of assessment, and limited relational practice by social workers. The findings of this research echo similar research both in New Zealand and internationally in relation to social work contact practices and the experiences of caregivers. Given this consistency of experience for caregivers, additional factors were examined to help provide explanations for the ongoing issues for caregivers, including organisational practice and culture. Recommendations were made which focused on contact experiences, assessment processes, training, policy, and the importance of relationship, to strengthen practice in this challenging area of work and improve caregiver experiences.
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    Context, identity and connection : an examination of resilience in New Zealand foster children : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2014) Cornelius, Gabrielle Marlaina
    The purpose of this research is to examine resilience in New Zealand foster children, with a focus on the relationships foster children form with the foster parents who care for them and the ways that resilience is built and displayed within foster care. While there is a range of international research examining resilience in children in state care, research into relational aspects of resilience is rare, particularly in a New Zealand context. This investigation involves one-on-one interviews and small focus groups with foster carers, asking open-ended questions about resilience, attachment and relationships to elicit their opinions and experiences with the children they have fostered. Using the process of thematic analysis, four major themes were developed, entitled (1) Participant understandings of resilience, (2) Identity, (3) Connection, and (4) Outcomes. These themes are compared to existing research, and new theories are proposed relating to the contextuality of resilience and the connection between a sense of identity and the building of supportive relationships with others. Two models are proposed to reconceptualise resilience in foster children, suggesting that behaviours typically seen as problematic may be resilient behaviours that have failed to adapt to a new environment, and that a strong sense of self and the ability to form meaningful connections with others are mutually reinforcing. The limitations of this research are discussed, in addition to implications for further research and suggestions for application in the foster care system.
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    Transitions in foster care : the development of training programmes for foster care workers : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1986) Prasad, Rajen
    This thesis set out to develop training programmes for foster parents and social workers involved in the provision of foster care services, as a means to addressing the current crises in the field. Studies both nationally and internationally have been critical of efforts by agencies to provide stable placements to children who needed to be removed from their biological parents but, with some notable exceptions, few have gone on to address responses to these deficiencies in any systematic way. The first element in the development of these training programmes was to establish an epistemology which would provide a comprehensive framework for practice. Urie Bronfenbrenner's theory of human development and Garbarino's empirical research into environments which are detrimental to children were brought together with principles emerging from research into foster care, to develop an ecological framework for foster care. The ecological framework was then translated into a training methodology by means of the Developmental Research and Utilization Model advanced by Thomas. This methodology identified a series of reference points around which the training programmes were constructed. These training programmes, which are set out in Volume 2 of this dissertation, were then evaluated in agencies concerned with the provision of foster care services. Changes in perceptions about foster care, their methods of service delivery, increased attention to agency policies supporting effective intervention and delivery of foster care services were reported. Greater emphasis on the role of biological parents, agency responsibility for assessing their needs and providing them with appropriate services were highlighted. The direct impact of the training programmes on children, however, was beyond the scope of this thesis. Foster care is only one option to be considered when determining the most suitable alternative for a child. It can not be taken as a superior or inferior form of care in comparison to others but is only appropriate under certain circumstances. An important element in the management and development of a series of alternative options for children requiring substitute child care is knowledge about the extent of current provisions and their diverse forms. The thesis also reports on a limited survey of such facilities and programmes in New Zealand.