Foster Care, Resiliance and Beyond Expectations

Question 1

Foster Care Essay

1. Introduction

Answer 1

1. every year 45,000 in foster care

Children in foster care due to;

1. Child abuse
2. Neglect
3. Severe behavioural issues
4. Parental Substance abuse

Question 2

4. Attachment Theory

First a sentence introducing Bowlby’s attachment theory

Answer 2

4. Emphasises importance

• Secure trusting relationship
• Normally with the mother

Question 3

Children experiencing abuse and neglect….

Answer 3

effects them well into adult life, including the transition into the workplace

Question 4

2. a Effects of Early life trauma

Answer 4

2.a Effects of trauma into adulthood

• Risks of developmental issues
• Mental illness
• Attachment problems
• Socioemotional
• Through the life span

Question 5

2.b. Outcomes for Care leavers

Answer 5

2.b FC show poorer;

• mental health
• Compared to population
• During transition from care to indepedent living

Question 6

3. Exposure to challenging life events lead to

Answer 6

3. Exposure to challenging life events lead to poor functional outcomes in;

• Employment,
• Education
• Income and
• Housing
• Up to 60% of care leavers end up on welfare

Question 7

5. a According to attachment theorists
6. b. The child develops

Answer 7

5. a The quality of a childs attachment depends on;
   * attunement and availability of significant others
6. b. attachment behaviours that are
   * heightened in times of stress

Question 8

6.a. Healthy attachment helps

6. b Unhealthy attachment leads to

Answer 8

6.a. helps to regulate emotions - secure attachment

6.b. Deficits in

• Recognising
• Expressing
• Controlling

Emotions

Question 9

7.a. Children who experience unhealthy attachment

7.b. With many foster children experiencing abuse and neglect

Answer 9

7.a. are prone to;

mental health disorders

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Antisocial behaviour
• Substance Abuse

7.b. these experiences can affect them well into adulthood including the transition to the workplace

Question 10

8.a. The transition for care leavers into the workplace

8.b. As they leave their care arrangement

Answer 10

8.a. is a significant time in their lives

8.b. they often do not have the same family & community support as other teenagers

Question 11

9. a. One program which offers support
10. b. Beyond Expectations is …

Answer 11

9. a. Is the IFYS Beyond Expectations program
10. b. a service for care leavers transitioning to work and provides a range of supports

Question 12

10 a. These supports include….

10.b This highly regarded program…

Answer 12

10.a.

• Career counselling
• Job opportunties and work experience
• Activities to improve job efficacy &self esteem
• Encouragement career aspirations

10.b. to use an attachment based approach to supporting young people

Question 13

11.a. IFYS staff play the role…

11.b. They mentore care leavers …

Answer 13

11.a. of the attachment figure by;

• guiding and supporting
• genuine caring and consistent

a criterion of secure attachment - so they feel more confident and supported

11.b.

to navigate this challenging new endevour

Question 14

12. a. In an evaluation…
13. b. Participants reported that….
14. c. overall participants felt…

Answer 14

12.a. The BE program showed improvements between the 2 time points compared to the control group (care leavers who did not participate)

However, Participants feedback was very encouraging

12.b.

• support gaining work
• learning new skills
• genuine support
• available and consistent

contributed to their resilience and positive wellbeing

12.c. the program was worthwhile

Question 15

13 a. In summary the beyond expectations….

13.b. The care and mentoring shown

Answer 15

13.a. Program results are promising

13.b. by staff help care leavers to transition into an often daughtingpart of life where care leavers become;

• independent
• develop life long skills
• improe their opportunties to gain employment
• improve their resiliance and PWB