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The social and family backgrounds of infants in South Australian out-of-home care 2000-2005: Predictors of subsequent abuse notifications

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  • Delfabbro, Paul
  • Borgas, Mignon
  • Rogers, Nancy
  • Jeffreys, Helen
  • Wilson, Ros

Abstract

The study examined the social and familial characteristics of 498 infants entering South Australian out-of-home care between 2000 and 2004 (n = 225 entered only for respite, n = 273 for other formal placements). Analyses focus`ed on the extent to which background characteristics, most notably a history of prior abuse, was able to predict subsequent child abuse notifications once children has exited care. The results showed that most children entered care due to a clustering of significant background problems, including poverty, domestic violence, physical abuse, substance misuse, and neglect. Around 50% of infants were returned to homes where there were subsequent notifications of abuse. Logistic regression modelling conducted separately for respite only and those formally entering care showed that prior abuse was a reliable predictor of ongoing abuse notifications in both samples. In some models, prior abuse yielded a very high probability (> 60%) of some ongoing notifications suggesting that these statistical models could be used to enhance risk assessments conducted prior to reunification decision-making in South Australia.

Suggested Citation

  • Delfabbro, Paul & Borgas, Mignon & Rogers, Nancy & Jeffreys, Helen & Wilson, Ros, 2009. "The social and family backgrounds of infants in South Australian out-of-home care 2000-2005: Predictors of subsequent abuse notifications," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(2), pages 219-226, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:31:y:2009:i:2:p:219-226
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fuller, Tamara L. & Wells, Susan J. & Cotton, Edward E., 2001. "Predictors of maltreatment recurrence at two milestones in the life of a case," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 23(1), pages 49-78, January.
    2. Wells, Kathleen & Guo, Shenyang, 1999. "Reunification and reentry of foster children," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 21(4), pages 273-294, April.
    3. Wolock, Isabel & Sherman, Patricia & Feldman, Leonard H. & Metzger, Barbara, 2001. "Child abuse and neglect referral patterns: A longitudinal study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 23(1), pages 21-47, January.
    4. Fernandez, Elizabeth, 1999. "Pathways in substitute care: Representation of placement careers of children using event history analysis," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 21(3), pages 177-216, March.
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    1. Carter, Vernon B., 2010. "Factors predicting placement of urban American Indian/Alaskan Natives into out-of-home care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(5), pages 657-663, May.
    2. Carter, Vernon B., 2009. "Prediction of placement into out-of-home care for American Indian/Alaskan Natives compared to non-Indians," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(8), pages 840-846, August.
    3. Tucker, Romina & Mares, Sarah, 2013. "Establishing a mental health service for young children in out-of-home care: The Gumnut Clinic for 0 to 5year olds in Western Sydney," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(2), pages 205-212.

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