‘Skills Protect’: Towards a Professional Foster Care Service

2003 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 8-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Hutchinson ◽  
Jane Asquith ◽  
John Simmonds
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Foster Care ◽  
Young People ◽  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Children And Young People ◽  
Key Features ◽  
Mental And Physical Health ◽  
Recent Government

Almost two-thirds of children and young people looked after by local authorities in England are placed in foster care. Recent studies suggest that the looked after population is significantly different from the general child and young people population in terms of mental and physical health and educational attainment. Failure to recognise and acknowledge the reality of the nature and needs of this population contributes to the current difficulties in providing sufficient and appropriate foster carers. Methods of recruitment, retention and support of foster carers still, in many cases, reflect a historical, now inaccurate, perception of the fostering task. Recent government initiatives have placed a welcome spotlight on the fostering service and are likely to result in improved services. However, the Choice Protects focus on effective commissioning of fostering resources, while necessary, may not be sufficient. In this article, which arises from the observations and conclusions of BAAF social work staff engaged in extensive consultancy with a large number of fostering agencies, Barbara Hutchinson analyses the current situation and proposes key features for the development of an effective fostering service. Her paper was written with support from Jane Asquith and John Simmonds

Social Work and the Education of Children in Foster Care

1993 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 25-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane Aldgate ◽  
Anthony Heath ◽  
Matthew Colton ◽  
Michael Simm
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Foster Care ◽  
Young People ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Educational Needs ◽  
Children And Young People ◽  
Children In Foster Care

To what extent should social workers advocate the educational needs of children and young people in foster care? Jane Aldgate, Anthony Heath, Matthew Colton and Michael Simm present the findings of a recent study.

scholarly journals School Closures and Returning to School: Views of Parents of Children With Disabilities in England During the Covid-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susana Castro-Kemp ◽  
Arif Mahmud
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Future Research ◽  
School Closures ◽  
Children And Young People ◽  
Parental Perspectives ◽  
Returning To School ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mental And Physical Health

Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and their families are likely to be significantly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic at various levels, particularly given the implementation of school closures during national lockdowns. This study employed a survey design to assess parental perspectives on the impact of school closures and of returning to school in England, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Eighty-three parents of children and young people with various types of need responded to the survey between September and December 2020. The survey included multiple choice questions and open-ended questions for further in-depth examination of parental perspectives. Results show that: the majority of parents reported that school closures had a detrimental effect on their children’s mental health (particularly those from the most deprived neighbourhoods) and on their own mental and physical health (particularly for ethnically diverse parents and for those whose children attend specialized settings); returning to school was considered to have a positive impact on children’s mental and physical health for the vast majority of parents, despite fearing exposure to the virus; many parents have reported that their children were calmer and happier at home during school closures and became more anxious and stressed upon returning to school. The role of cumulative risk in these children and families, as well as the role of schools as key support agents for the most vulnerable are discussed with implications for future research and policy.

The impact of child maltreatment on the mental and physical health of child victims: a review of the evidence

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Eileen Vizard ◽  
Jenny Gray ◽  
Arnon Bentovim
Keyword(s):  
Child Maltreatment ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Child Victims ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Children And Young People ◽  
Genital Mutilation ◽  
Health And Development ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mental And Physical Health ◽  
Female Genital

SUMMARY This article gives a general overview of the current situation in relation to a range of widely recognised and also newly identified types of child maltreatment. The academic and clinical evidence relating to the impact of child maltreatment on the mental and physical health of child victims is substantial and steadily increasing in volume. New types of abuse are being identified, and changing environmental circumstances, which exacerbate the possibility of widely recognised types of child maltreatment occurring, are also being described. These include multi-type maltreatment, female genital mutilation and online child maltreatment. Serious questions may arise regarding neglect of the moral and social development of children and young people who become addicted to online gaming and pornography. Multiple national and local definitions of each of these existing and new forms of maltreatment have been created, some of which are covered here. The impact of these abuses on the physical and mental health and development of child victims in families or settings where abuse or neglect has occurred is discussed.

scholarly journals Vulnerable childhood, vulnerable adulthood: Direct provision as aftercare for aged-out separated children seeking asylum in Ireland

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 386-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muireann Ní Raghallaigh ◽  
Liam Thornton
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Foster Care ◽  
Young People ◽  
Asylum Seekers ◽  
The State ◽  
Migrant Status ◽  
After Care ◽  
Systematic Exploration ◽  
Care Leavers ◽  
Discretionary Powers

Ireland’s approach to after-care for ‘aged-out’ separated children is problematic. Currently, upon reaching the age of 18, most separated young people are moved to ‘direct provision’, despite the fact that the state can use discretionary powers to allow them to remain in foster care. Direct provision is the system Ireland adopts providing bed and board to asylum seekers, along with a weekly monetary payment. Separated young people in Ireland are in a vulnerable position after ageing out. Entry into the direct provision system, from a legal and social work perspective, is concerning. Utilising direct provision as a ‘form of aftercare’ emphasises governmental policy preferences that privilege the migrant status of aged-out separated children, as opposed to viewing this group as young people leaving care. In this article, utilising a cross-disciplinary approach, we provide the first systematic exploration of the system of aftercare for aged-out separated children in Ireland. In doing so, we posit two core reasons for why the aftercare system for aged-out separated children has developed as it has. First, doing so ensures that the state is consistent with its approach to asylum seekers more generally, in that it seeks to deter persons from claiming asylum in Ireland through utilisation of the direct provision system. Second, while the vulnerability of aged-out separated children is well-documented, the state (and others) ignore this vulnerability and are reluctant to offer additional aftercare supports beyond direct provision. This is due, we argue, to viewing aged-out separated children as having a lesser entitlement to rights than other care leavers, solely based on their migrant status.

scholarly journals Do you mind if I take your blood pressure? Physical health monitoring of children and young people on ADHD medication amidst a pandemic

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S183-S184
Author(s):  
Emma Davies ◽  
Maham Khan ◽  
Claire Jones
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Heart Rate ◽  
Young People ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Health Monitoring ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Adhd Medication ◽  
Children And Young People ◽  
Nice Guidance ◽  
The Impact

AimsTo establish whether physical health monitoring for CYP on ADHD medication is according to NICE guidance (2018).To determine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on physical health monitoring for CYP on ADHD medication.Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder, characterised by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity, directly impacting on academic, occupational, or social functioning. It affects between 1-5% of children and young people (CYP) most often presenting in early-mid childhood.Pharmacological treatment can be considered in CYP if certain criteria are met, where licensed medications include methylphenidate, dexamfetamine, lisdexamfetamine, atomoxetine and guanfacine. Stimulant and non-stimulant medications require frequent physical health monitoring due to their side effects including an increase in blood pressure and/or heart rate, loss of appetite, growth restriction and tics.MethodStandards and criteria were derived from the NICE guidance (2018), whilst local trust policies were reviewed, demonstrating discrepancies. Standards were expected to be met for 100% of patients.Electronic patient records were reviewed retrospectively from a representative cohort of CYP reviewed by clinicians in a community CAMHS service during March-November 2020. Data were entered manually into a spreadsheet for evaluation.ResultA total of 27 CYP records were reviewed, average age 13yo, on a range of stimulant/non-stimulant preparations.5 (19%) had height checked every 6 months, with 4 delayed to 7-8 months.For those >10yo, only 5 (19%) had weight checked every 6 months.Only 2 (7%) had their height and weight plotted on a growth chart and reviewed by the healthcare professional responsible for treatment.Just 4 (15%) had heart rate and blood pressure recorded before and after each dose change, whilst similarly only 4 (not the same) had these parameters recorded every 6 months.17 patients were reviewed by telephone/video call, where 5 patients provided physical health parameters (measured at home).ConclusionAcross all parameters, standards are not being met for the required physical health monitoring for CYP on ADHD medication.The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed the working conditions for community teams, impacting face to face reviews, creating challenges for physical health monitoring.Our ongoing implementations for change include the use of a proforma for physical health measurements, improving psychoeducation for families, exploring potential barriers with senior colleagues and collaborating with pharmacy colleagues to update local guidelines in accordance with the latest NICE recommendations. We aim to re-audit in June 2021.

Mental health of looked after children

2003 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 249-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Richardson ◽  
Paul Lelliott
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Education Research ◽  
Young People ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Policy Documents ◽  
Policy Initiatives ◽  
The Past ◽  
Looked After Children ◽  
The Government ◽  
Mental And Physical Health

Looked after children are disadvantaged with regard to their mental and physical health and education. Research is limited on this population, but dramatic findings prompted the Government to produce a number of guidance and policy documents over the past 5 years. This paper discusses the available research and highlights the problems that looked after children face. The new policy initiatives are listed, along with a number of obstacles to be overcome if the care of these young people is to be improved.

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