Authors

• Pesäpuu ry

Keywords

child development, child protection, children, foster care, foster parents, infants, social work, social workers

Abstract

The data focus on the views of foster care workers and foster parents on practices that support the participation and rights of children aged 0-2 in foster care or urgent placements. The respondents are social workers, child welfare workers, and foster parents. The material was collected as part of Pesäpuu ry's Pikku-Tiikerit development project, which received funding from the Funding Centre for Social Welfare and Health Organisations (STEA).

First, questions were posed to social workers and child welfare workers. They were asked how they get to know the child through various characteristics related to the child. They were also asked in what situations they meet with the child and who else participates in the meetings. Respondents were also asked to assess whether meeting the child supports their decision-making or work. After this, they were asked about the reasons for not meeting the child and how they prepare the child for a change in foster care or place of residence and what methods of interaction they use with the child.

Next, the survey examined how employees assessed the child's well-being and the suitability of the placement or place of residence. In addition, respondents were asked how they support the child's relationships with their parents or other important people and what they take into account when planning meetings with parents or other close relatives. Respondents were also asked what methods they have used to find out the child's views and opinions.

After this, questions were asked of those working as foster parents. They were asked about their training as foster parents and their ability to care for young children. They were also asked what kind of advance information they would like to receive about the child and how often they are in contact with the child's social worker. In addition, they were asked how they maintain the child's relationships with their parents and other important people in their life. They were also asked how they observe the child's everyday interactions and whether child welfare workers make use of these observations.

Finally, questions were asked from all respondents about what information they recorded about the child. They were also asked whether recording the child's life story had strengthened their relationship with the child, to whom the recorded life story would be given, and how it would accompany the child when they moved to a new foster care placement. Reasons for not recording information about the child were also inquired.

Background variables include job role and job title, work experience, and information on which wellbeing services county the respondent works in and whether they work in the private or third sector.