Mapping Children's Narratives of Permanence and Stability: Evidence from a Mixed-Method Study of Children in Long-Term Care in Ireland

Lisa Moran

UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, NUI Galway

Dr Lisa Moran holds a BA (Hons.) in Sociological and Political Studies and English Literature from NUI Galway (2000-2003). Her research dissertation on the implementation of the Surface Water Directive in Connemara received First Class Honours (supervisor Dr Patricia Conlan, School of Law, University of Limerick).Her PhD on environmental policy implementation and rural knowledge in Connemara, completed at the Schoolof Political Science and Sociology (2004-2010) received prestigious IRCHSS funding and she was also the recipient of a Postgraduate Scholarship from the Faculty of Arts NUI Galway in 2005. Since her PhD, Lisa has worked extensively in research; in policy and programme evaluation particularly in child and youth studies. She was the Lead Researcher on a flagship national study of youth cafes (funded by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Irish Research Council). She was also a Lead Researcher on the Baboro BEAST process studies and a researcher on the Evaluation of the Restorative Practice Programme of the Childhood Development Initiative, Tallaght. She has completed advanced training in Participatory Action Research (Imperial College London 2013), Biographical Narrative Interpretive Method (BNIM) (London 2013).

Carmel Devaney

UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre

Carmel is a Lecturer and Course Director of the Master Degree in Family Support Studies in the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, School of Political Science and Sociology, at NUI Galway.Carmel is Principal Investigator on a number of research and evaluation projects under the Partnership, Prevention and Family Support programme for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, (previously the HSE). In recent years, Carmel has been lead researcher on a number of projects for Tusla and has designed and delivered a number of Family Support training initiatives for managers and practitioners. Carmel has also worked for many years in children and family services as both a practitioner and manager. Carmel’s recent publications and conference presentations are in the area of Family Support, child welfare and protection, and wellbeing. Carmel holds a BA in Social Studies (DIT), an MA in Family Support Studies (NUI Galway), and a PhD (NUI, Galway).

Caroline Mcgregor

UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, NUI Galway

Caroline McGregor is Professor at the School of Political Science and Sociology with lead responsibility for the discipline of social work. She is Director of the Masters in Social Work Programme and teaches a range of subjects including social work with vulnerable children and families, childhood and Children's rights, Law and Human rights and cultural competence in social work She is also a Senior Research Fellow at the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre. Formerly Dr Caroline Skehill from Queen's University, Her current project work is focused on: outcomes for young people leaving care, public awareness of child protection and welfare, family support services and policy and the interface between child protection and family support practices in child welfare. Other research interests include the history of social work and child protection in Ireland and Europe. Caroline also has experience of research and publication in relation to child protection practice and policy; history of the present methodologies, socio-legal studies and young people in and leaving care.

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of a mixed-method research study of outcomes for permanence and stability for children in care in Ireland. This study (2014-2016) was a collaboration between social work teams from Tusla, the... [ view full abstract ]

Permanence is broadly defined as ‘a sense of security, continuity, commitment and identity throughout childhood and beyond’ (MacDonald 2016: 3). The concept of permanence encompasses dimensions such as felt security, identity and belonging, and behaving as if placements will endure into ‘future time’ (Bullock et al. 2006). Ensuring that children and youth experience stability in care is an important aspect of permanence.

A biographical interviewing approach was used with children and young people to ascertain rich narratives about specific events, people and places and ‘turning points’ in the life course. In addition, foster parents and parents of origin were interviewed to garner narratives about their experiences. This study makes an important contribution to the research literature on outcomes for permanence and stability and on the experiences of children and youth in care, foster carers and parents of origin.

The findings focus on three principal overarching themes; identity and belonging, relationships and communication. It is shown that children and young people often have difficulties coping with the notion of being ‘in care’ and knowing what that means for their sense of belonging and identity. Children and parents of origin experience feelings of loss and loneliness, and have difficulties processing experiences of abuse and neglect. Similarly, foster carers encounter challenges coping with foster care placements particularly when children present with complex needs or when there are few support services available to them.

By way of conclusion key messages and recommendations for child protection and welfare practitioners and systems are presented.

Authors

Lisa Moran (UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, NUI Galway)
Carmel Devaney (UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre)
Caroline Mcgregor (UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, NUI Galway)

Topic Area

Other

Session

Oral 37 » Session 1- Emerging Issues (09:00 - Wednesday, 4th October, North America Room)

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