Meredith Kiraly

Family Contact for Children in Kinship Care: A Literature Review

Abstract Kinship care has been growing rapidly across the English-speaking world over the last decade. While family contact is an identified right of children removed from their families and maintains important relationships, contact with parents where there has been child abuse and neglect remains contentious. The evidence base in relation to family contact in kinship care is limited. Therefore, this article presents the current state of knowledge in the form of a narrative review of qualitative and quantitative research. Contradictory theoretical orientations are outlined together with the limits they impose on the development and application of knowledge. While the complexity of parental contact is confirmed, a consistent finding is that kinship care provides children with strong family networks including sustained relationships with parents, siblings, and extended family, and maintenance of childrens culture and identity. Suggestions for the development of the research agenda are made, together with implications for policy and practice.

Perspectives From Young People about Family Contact in Kinship Care: “Don't Push Us—Listen More”

Abstract Kinship care for children as a child protection response is increasing as the preferred care option across the English-speaking world. Research into kinship care is at an early stage, particularly in relation to understanding the views of children, young people and their parents. This paper describes a component of a larger research project on the topic of family contact in kinship care, which was undertaken to inform emerging kinship care support services in Victoria. Twenty-one children, young people and young adults with childhood experience of kinship care were involved in interviews and focus groups to discuss their experiences and advice for workers. The participants indicated their strong wish for greater control over the nature and extent of their contact with family members, including the wider family. Issues in relation to participation of children in the research process are discussed, including ethics, constraints and reciprocity. Participants’ feedback reinforces the call for more genuine involvement of children and young people in decisions about their lives.