New report pinpoints improvements in family contact for children in care.

 

 

 

Young people in care would like to be consulted more about arrangements for contact with their families, according to CREATE Foundation’s WA report, just released.

“Contact needs to ‘fit in’ for young people, to minimise impact on schooling and other activities, and to enable children and young people to plan around and feel prepared for it,” finds the report Hearing from Children and Young People in Care: Experiences of Family Contact, Western Australia (2014).

Earlier this year, create consulted 24 children and young people aged 12-17 about what could enhance the delivery of family contact for young people in care.

“Contact can be a confusing and emotional experience for children and young people, and support needs to be given to [them] after contact in a way that is responsive to [their] individual needs,” the report says.

They need opportunities to provide feedback about the contact to ensure it’s a safe and positive experience, the report found. “Depending on the child or young person’s wishes, this might be through conversation with a case worker, contact supervisor, or carer, at a time when the young person feels ready to provide feedback,” according to the report. The time is not necessarily straight after contact.

“Care planning provides an opportunity to explore young people’s views and wishes in regard to contact and have this captured in formal decision-making processes. Their participation in this process should be flexible and according to how they want to participate.

“Young people want strong communication between themselves, carers, workers, agencies and families, to make sure that everyone is clear and consistent about contact decisions and arrangements.

“Supervised contact needs to be explained to children and young people, and occur in a way that supports [their] safety, whilst allowing them to feel comfortable and free to interact with their family.”

Click to download the  full report [903 kb] or visit the CREATE website

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