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Placement breakdown in Flemish family foster care for unaccompanied refugee minors. Experiences of non-kinship foster parents

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  • Van Holen, Frank
  • Verberckmoes, Lobke
  • Trogh, Lenny
  • West, Delphine
  • Vanderfaeillie, Johan

Abstract

This qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with twelve foster parents who took care of unaccompanied refugee minors (URM; mainly Afghan boys aged 15 to 16 years old) examines two research questions: “How do non-kinship foster parents of Caucasian ethnicity experience placement breakdown of unaccompanied children?”, and “What could have prevented placement breakdown?” Foster parents perceived breakdown as a failure and reported a major emotional impact on themselves, their children and on their family life. Although most of them thought breakdown could not have been avoided, three factors were reported: not assigning a study grant if the youngster is going to live independently, more psychological support for the URM, and connections to potential individuals or support systems who share the youths’ culture and traditions and who support the placement. All foster parents described multiple and various difficulties related to the care system, the URM and the social context that troubled the foster placement. Based on the experiences of foster parents several implications for practice and policy were formulated such as a better preparation, training and matching of the foster family and the URM, care planning that includes the needs of foster carers, their biological children and the URM for specialized support and adapted care; facilitating fellow contacts for foster parents and URM; organizing specialized training for foster care workers, and developing a post-intervention program for foster families who experienced breakdown.

Suggested Citation

  • 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).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:155:y:2023:i:c:s0190740923004024
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.107206
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Konijn, Carolien & Admiraal, Sabine & Baart, Josefiene & van Rooij, Floor & Stams, Geert-Jan & Colonnesi, Cristina & Lindauer, Ramón & Assink, Mark, 2019. "Foster care placement instability: A meta-analytic review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 483-499.
    2. 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.
    3. Montserrat, Carme & Llosada-Gistau, Joan & Fuentes-Peláez, Nuria, 2020. "Child, family and system variables associated to breakdowns in family foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    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.
    5. 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).
    6. 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).
    7. 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.
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