For many people, sibling relationships are the closest and longest lasting family relationships and as such, may provide social and emotional support across the life course for children who have experienced trauma. This... [ view full abstract ]
For many people, sibling relationships are the closest and longest lasting family relationships and as such, may provide social and emotional support across the life course for children who have experienced trauma. This presentation will describe ground-breaking Australian research in identifying the prevalence of young kinship carers, many of whom are siblings.
Numbers of children placed in kinship foster care continue to rise in many Western countries. Much greater numbers of children are living with extended family or friends in private care arrangements, although in some cases child protection have been involved prior to these arrangements being struck. A widespread assumption is that most kinship care is provided by grandparents; in fact, there is little data about the diversity of relationships between children and their kin carers. A surprising finding by Bristol University researchers in 2011 through census data analysis was the existence of large numbers of British young people raising younger siblings, apparently mostly in private arrangements. These young carers were identified as predominantly female and single, frequently living in poverty and forgoing education and employment opportunities. The researchers enjoined researchers to explore whether there may also be hidden populations of sibling carers in other countries, and if so, the circumstances under which they are living. Another English study in 2011 involved a survey and interviews with sibling carers. It identified these young carers struggling with their caring role, financial circumstances and social isolation, with limited casework or financial support from welfare services. These two studies may be the first in the Western world to have paid attention to a group of young kinship carers and children in their care.
An Australian study at the University of Melbourne was established in 2013 to determine the prevalence of sibling kinship carers and to explore their circumstances and support needs. The research project followed the Bristol project by starting with analysis of census data. However, it emerged that the carer-child relationship was difficult to identify this way. The study has therefore re-focused on young kinship carers, that is, carers aged 30 years or less who are raising young siblings, nephews, nieces and other relatives. Census analysis has identified the prevalence of two-generational kinship care households in Australia across the age spectrum. Challenging the view that almost all kinship carers are grandparents, a significant proportion of such households involve kinship carers age 30 or less. Clearly, there may be many more young kinship carers in three generational households. Interviews with both informal and formal young kinship carers have suggested that while children in the care of young relatives may be experiencing stability and security, the circumstances of their carers echo those of the British sibling care studies, including poverty and social isolation, and opportunity costs with regard to education and employment.
A second stage of research project currently in train involves a nationwide survey to explore the circumstances and support needs of young carers and children/youth in their care, and an action research component to trial an online support group for young carers. Research findings will be presented to policymakers, practitioners and the community in order to raise awareness and advocate for the support needs of what appears to be a hidden group of young carers and children/youth.
This article will describe the prevalence and support needs of young kinship care families in Australia based on Stage 1 of the research project. It is hoped that this work may also inspire efforts in other countries to identify the prevalence of young kinship carers, and to provide greater support to young carers and children/youth in their care.
