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
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Date
2019
DOI
Open Access Location
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Publisher
Massey University
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Abstract
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.
Description
Keywords
Foster home care, New Zealand, Children, Institutional care, Foster children, Family relationships, Birthparents, Foster parents, Attitudes