Despite an ideological focus on prevention and a fair amount of universal services and family-based interventions for families and children at risk, a relatively high number of children is placed out of their home each year in Flanders (Belgium). This may be due to several reasons, such as a deficient care system, a normative foundation of the system and poor quality of services (Poso, Skivenes, & Hestbaek, 2014; Ward, 2009). Because of the intrusive nature of out-of-home placement for all involved, it is especially important to develop an up-to-date and comprehensive policy that takes into account the diversity of needs, UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, European Convention on Human Rights, and UN guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children. This also concerns the debate about foster care as the first option of choice and criticism of residential care.
This study examines the perspectives of Child Welfare workers on the out-of-home placement of young children (0-6 years). Their attitudes about and considerations on the current situation, strengths and weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement are explored. Four focus groups were organized. It concerned nine practitioners from residential care for children (0-12 years) funded by Child and Family (focus group 1), eleven practitioners from residential care for minors (0-18 years) funded by Jongerenwelzijn (focus group 2), six practitioners from residential care for families (focus group 3), and five practitioners from foster care agencies (focus group 4). Each meeting was structured with the same interview schedule and moderated by two persons. Four themes were addressed through twelve questions: prevention of out-of-home placement, decision-making, foster care and residential care. Each focus group resulted in a report with the main discussions and conclusions, validated by the participants. Next, the reports were thematically analysed by two persons.
Results will be presented concerning the four main themes. They give a nuanced representation of the daily practice in out-of-home care and opportunities for improvement. Some topics can be identified across the main themes. Practitioners emphasize the importance of clear and open communication to the children and parents at the start of and through the process. They also address some difficulties and opportunities in this process, especially concerning the young children. Also, the instability of placements is a well-known reality with many causes, but some solutions were identified. Next, the great potential of foster care on the one hand and challenges to make use of the full potential of it on the other hand is a major theme. Finally, the somewhat difficult position of residential care in the pursuit of deinstitutionalisation and as a last resort is discussed. These results will form the basis of policy guidelines and actions for improvement with regard to a better prevention of out-home-placement, cooperation between care providers, the realization of more and better foster care and the strengthening of and adjustments to residential care.
Family foster care and adoption , Residential child care
