Center: Infographic: Antecedents to Child Placement in Residential Care

ANTECEDENTS TO CHILD PLACEMENT IN RESIDENTIAL CARE

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132 studies

60,683 47 from

Based on

including

Individual studies suggest most children and youth in residential care centres (RCCs) have living parents, and parental death is not the primary antecedent to placement in residential care. The goal of the present review was to examine the literature to better understand the primary antecedents to placement in RCCs overall. Fourteen antecedent themes were identified from the literature.

children

nations

1

ABANDONMENT

2

DISABILITY

3

EDUCATION

4

EMERGENCIES

5

FAMILY STRESS

6

HEALTH

7

CHILD LEFT HOME

8

LEGAL

9

MALTREATMENT

10

PARENTAL DEATH

12

PARENTING

14

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

11

13

PARENTAL RELATIONSHIP STATUS

POVERTY

Europe

PARENTAL DEATH HEALTH MALTREATMENT

U.S. & Australia

Africa

PARENTAL DEATH POVERTY HEALTH

Asia

Most common antecedents regionally MALTREATMENT DISABILITY POVERTY MALTREATMENT DISABILITY LEGAL

The Bottom Line Understanding antecedents to child placement in RCCs can play a critical role in optimizing service provisions for children and families at risk.

Ideally, by addressing antecedents, families can be supported to remain intact as opposed to removing a child. When separation is necessary, understanding the antecedents to separation can assist with minimizing the amount of time a child spends in alternative care by making the possibility of family reintegration more likely.

ANTECEDENTS TO CHILD PLACEMENT IN RESIDENTIAL CARE

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Recommendations

1

IMPROVE SERVICES BY UNDERSTANDING ANTECEDENTS Understanding common reasons for placement in RCCs creates opportunities to serve children and families better.

Proactively addressing antecedents to placement can prevent unnecessary child separation from parental care, preserve families, avoid unnecessary child trauma and reserve placement options for children who need them most.

2

ALLOW KNOWLEDGE OF ANTECEDENTS TO INFORM GATEKEEPING Historically, there has been an over-reliance on RCCs as a placement option. Often, this has been the result of an RCC being the only model of care available for children separated from parents in a given region. Developing a range of alternative family solutions for children separated from parental care creates the ability to choose a placement setting based on the best interest of a child.

3

PRIORITIZE LOCAL DATA ABOUT ANTECEDENTS TO PLACEMENT Antecedents to placement in care are diverse, often interrelated and may vary widely based on context. Focusing on local data can offer a more targeted and well-informed approach, customizing services to the needs of local children and families.

"Ideally, by addressing antecedents, families can be supported to remain intact as opposed to removing a child.

When separation is necessary, understanding the antecedents to separation can assist with minimizing the amount of time a child spends in alternative care by making the possibility of family reintegration more likely."

Based on research by Nicole G. Wilke, Amanda Hiles Howard, Sarah Todorov, Justine Bautista, & Jedd Medefind