2018 Volume 18 Pages 81-94
The purpose of this study was to identify what support measures and additional considerations institutions in the foster care system employ to assist children who are faced with a placement change. A survey questionnaire was conducted and statistical analysis was conducted. The results showed that children experiencing placement change frequently had disabilities and backgrounds of abuse, causing behavioral management difficulties while in institutional care. An exploratory factor analysis was carried out to find potential models for support measures and other important considerations that institutions practice when assisting children with placement change, resulting in the identification of six important factors.
Additionally, an analysis of variance was conducted to identify similarities and differences in practice between foster care institutions. The results showed that there were significant differences in approach to handling placement change. Levels of support like “information sharing” and “pre-placement visitations” were more frequent in placement change due to the child’s development, whereas in placement change due to behavioral difficulties, the level of assistance and support was lower. Also, support measures varied according to the type of institution. “Life story work” and “pre-placement visitations” was frequently used in institutions for infants, while the use of temporary shelter care was frequently used for children being placed out of institutions for juvenile delinquents.
