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‘It can never be as perfect as home’: An explorative study into the fostering experiences of unaccompanied refugee children, their foster carers and social workers

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  • Rip, Jet
  • Zijlstra, Elianne
  • Post, Wendy
  • Kalverboer, Margrite
  • Knorth, Erik J.

Abstract

Research shows that highly supportive living arrangements, such as foster care, can provide an environment that meets the needs of unaccompanied children (i.e. fewer internalizing problems, higher quality of the child-rearing environment). However, there is limited research into the experiences of these children in (cultural) foster care. The aim of this study is to explore the experiences of former unaccompanied refugee children and unaccompanied refugee children, their carers and social workers with regard to the foster placement. This cross-sectional qualitative study combined semi-structured interviews with questionnaires. In general, participants were satisfied with the foster placement. However, some children also reported negative experiences during their foster placement or felt somewhat uncomfortable, but they still rated the placement as successful. Children and carers valued the cultural similarity of the foster placement. Former unaccompanied children appreciated cultural similarity less. Overall, participants valued similarity of language the most. Several children did not feel at home in their foster placement. In most foster families, the caregiving environment offered to children seemed adequate.

Suggested Citation

  • Rip, Jet & Zijlstra, Elianne & Post, Wendy & Kalverboer, Margrite & Knorth, Erik J., 2020. "‘It can never be as perfect as home’: An explorative study into the fostering experiences of unaccompanied refugee children, their foster carers and social workers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:112:y:2020:i:c:s0190740919313702
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.104924
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Brown, Jason D. & George, Natalie & Sintzel, Jennifer & St. Arnault, David, 2009. "Benefits of cultural matching in foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(9), pages 1019-1024, September.
    2. Anderson, Maurice & Linares, L. Oriana, 2012. "The role of cultural dissimilarity factors on child adjustment following foster placement," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(4), pages 597-601.
    3. Brown, Jason D. & Bednar, Lisa M., 2006. "Foster parent perceptions of placement breakdown," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 28(12), pages 1497-1511, December.
    4. Bean, Tammy M. & Eurelings-Bontekoe, Elisabeth & Spinhoven, Philip, 2007. "Course and predictors of mental health of unaccompanied refugee minors in the Netherlands: One year follow-up," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 64(6), pages 1204-1215, March.
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    1. 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).
    2. Anna Seidel, Franziska & Hettich, Nora & James, Sigrid, 2022. "Transnational family life of displaced unaccompanied minors – A systematic review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 142(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).

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