Care experiences - calm and settled, or disrupted and chaotic or somewhere in between? : an examination of the levels of movement of young people in care in two HSE integrated services areas in Ireland

• Main Author: Cronin, Fiona
• Published: Queen's University Belfast 2015
• Subjects: 362.7
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.680169

This research generated quantitative information into the levels of movement experienced by an "In-care" population, utilising routinely collated administrative social work data as a research tool. This quantitative data was further supplemented by information from focus groups conducted with child and family staff. The routinely collected data was utilised to statistically illustrate the nature of the 'in-care' population in relation to placement types, age of children, age at admission, length of time in care amongst other data. The data was further utilised to determine the levels of movement experienced by children within the care population, and subjected it to statistical significance tests In order to determine whether relationships existed between levels of movement and a range of factors. The statistical data was further supplemented by data from focus groups held with staff working In Children and Family Services. The research found that for the majority of young people in care, high levels of movement were not a feature of their care experiences. The majority of children (78%) in the research population experienced one (51 %) or two (27%) placements during their current care episode. The remaining 22% experienced three (11 %) or four or l1Iore placements (11%). The research found that for those who do experience movement whilst in care, this movement can occur at various stages within their care careers and for different reasons. The findings from the research demonstrate that counting placements is far from straightforward, and even those who experience four or more placements can experience movement at different stages of their care careers. The factors which were found to Impact on the varying levels of movement were presented through the lens of an ecological perspective, as it helped to demonstrate how factors far removed from individual children, call nevertheless, have a very real impact on their care careers.