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Unaccompanied children in Flemish family foster care. Prevalence and associated factors of placement breakdown

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  • Van Holen, Frank
  • Blijkers, Cindy
  • Trogh, Lenny
  • West, Delphine
  • Vanderfaeillie, Johan

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating the incidence of placement breakdown in Flemish family foster care (Dutch speaking part of Belgium) for unaccompanied children (UC), and to explore the association of breakdown with foster child, foster family and case characteristics. Data regarding breakdown in family foster care for UC are scarce and non-existing for Flanders. Case files of 107 UC who were placed in family foster care were analyzed. After one year 19 placements (17.8%) had terminated: 13 placements broke down (12.2%) and 6 placements ended positively (5.6%). Conflicts between the foster parents and the UC, parenting problems, conflicts between the foster parents and the biological family of the UC, and running away of the UC were the causes of placement disruption. UC who experienced trauma in the host country were more at risk of breakdown, whilst social contacts with peers of the same culture and social contacts with Belgian peers were protective factors for placement disruption. Therefore, special attention should be given to UC who experience trauma in the host country. Furthermore, facilitating contacts with peers from the same culture and from the autochthonous community is of major importance.

Suggested Citation

  • Van Holen, Frank & Blijkers, Cindy & Trogh, Lenny & West, Delphine & Vanderfaeillie, Johan, 2020. "Unaccompanied children in Flemish family foster care. Prevalence and associated factors of placement breakdown," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:109:y:2020:i:c:s0190740919308606
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.104736
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Oosterman, Mirjam & Schuengel, Carlo & Wim Slot, N. & Bullens, Ruud A.R. & Doreleijers, Theo A.H., 2007. "Disruptions in foster care: A review and meta-analysis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(1), pages 53-76, January.
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    3. Van Holen, Frank & Trogh, Lenny & West, Delphine & Meys, Nina & Vanderfaeillie, Johan, 2019. "Concept mapping the needs of Flemish nonkinship foster parents who care for unaccompanied refugee minors," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 84-92.
    4. Crea, Thomas M. & Lopez, Anayeli & Taylor, Theresa & Underwood, Dawnya, 2017. "Unaccompanied migrant children in the United States: Predictors of placement stability in long term foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 93-99.
    5. van Santen, Eric, 2010. "Predictors of exit type and length of stay in non-kinship family foster care -- The German experience," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(10), pages 1211-1222, October.
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    1. Van Holen, Frank & Dewilde, Isabel & Trogh, Lenny & Verheyden, Camille & Vanderfaeillie, Johan, 2021. "Prevalence and associated factors of placement breakdown of unaccompanied children in Flemish family foster care. A follow-up study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    2. Rip, Jet & Zijlstra, Elianne & Post, Wendy & Kalverboer, Margrite & Knorth, Erik J., 2020. "Cultural matching factors, child factors and fostering factors associated with successful foster placement: An explorative study into the perspectives of unaccompanied refugee children, their foster c," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    3. Rip, Jet & Hasami, Selsela & Post, Wendy & Zijlstra, Elianne & Knorth, Erik J. & Kalverboer, Margrite, 2021. "Perspectives of unaccompanied refugee children, their foster carers and guardians on placement success: Which factors predict multi-informant discrepancies?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    4. Van Holen, Frank & Verberckmoes, Lobke & Trogh, Lenny & West, Delphine & Vanderfaeillie, Johan, 2023. "Placement breakdown in Flemish family foster care for unaccompanied refugee minors. Experiences of non-kinship foster parents," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).

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