Since 2006, RKBU Nord has participated in an international research collaboration associated with the Campbell and Cochrane Collaborations. The work has consisted of creating a systematic research review of the effect of kinship foster care.
The work was first published in 2009 (Winokur, Holtan, & Valentine, 2009) and won an award for best review in 2007/2008. In 2014, the research review was updated and published. The research review compares kinship foster care with regular foster care placements.
The criteria for inclusion in the research review are that the primary study deals with:
-
Formal placements with relatives under the auspices of child welfare services
-
Kinship placements compared to regular placements
-
Children and young people aged 0-18 placed due to neglect or abuse.
Objectives The central outcome measures for assessing the effect of kinship foster care in the research review are: behavioral development, mental health, placement stability, and permanence of placement. Secondary objectives are the children's level of education, family relationships, use of services, and abuse.
We found 102 studies that met the criteria and methodological standards for inclusion in the analyses. The findings show that children in kinship foster care have a lower incidence of behavioral problems and mental disorders and more stable placements compared to children in regular foster care. Children in regular foster care are more likely to be adopted and receive the services they need. The research review discusses its methodological limitations.
References
Winokur, M., Holtan, A., & Batchelder Keri E (2014). Kinship care for the safety, permanency, and well-being of maltreated children. Updated. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2014.
Winokur, M., Holtan, A., & Valentine, D. (2009). Kinship Care for the Safety, Permanency, and Well-being of Children Removed from the Home for Maltreatment. Campbell Systematic Reviews [On-line].