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Supporting birth parents’ relationships with children following removal: A scoping review

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  • Healy, Karen
  • Venables, Jemma
  • Walsh, Tamara

Abstract

Birth parents of looked after children can provide emotional and practical supports for their children. Yet, beyond attempts at reunification, support for birth parents to build and maintain relationships with their children are rare. In this paper, we present a scoping review of programs aimed at developing and supporting birth parents’ relationships with their children in circumstances other than for the purpose of reunification. The review analyses publications from January 2000 to October 2021 on this topic. We consider the scope, the methodological features, and quality of the available evidence about these programs. Our analysis identifies the characteristics and purpose of these programs and evidence of their effectiveness. Despite the early stage of knowledge development on this topic, evidence exists about the needs and experiences of birth parents. Promising findings have emerged about strategies for engaging parents and the positive impact of some interventions on parents’ contact with children. We outline implications for further research to build the evidence base for best practice with birth parents, foster and kinship carers, and children.

Suggested Citation

  • Healy, Karen & Venables, Jemma & Walsh, Tamara, 2023. "Supporting birth parents’ relationships with children following removal: A scoping review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:149:y:2023:i:c:s0190740923001561
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.106961
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kenny, Kathleen S. & Barrington, Clare, 2018. "“People just don't look at you the same way”: Public stigma, private suffering and unmet social support needs among mothers who use drugs in the aftermath of child removal," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 209-216.
    2. Elizabeth Fernandez, 2014. "Child Protection and Vulnerable Families: Trends and Issues in the Australian Context," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 3(4), pages 1-24, October.
    3. Furlong, Mairead & McLoughlin, Fergal & McGilloway, Sinead, 2021. "The incredible years parenting program for foster carers and biological parents of children in foster care: A mixed methods study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
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