Messages for policy and practice. Meredith Kiraly Research Fellow University of Melbourne, Australia

1. A systematic review of kinship carer
surveys and population studies:
messages for policy and practice
Meredith Kiraly
Research Fellow, University of Melbourne
BASPCAN Congress, Edinburgh,
April 2015

2. Australian foster care and
protective kinship care
(Figures from Australian Institute of Health and Welfare)

3. Definitions
Kinship care
Care within the family or friendship network of the
child; ‘Family & friends care’; ‘Kith & kin care’.
Non-familial
kinship care
Kinship care provided by an unrelated person
well-known to the child, eg family friend. UK:
‘friends care’. Australia: sometimes, ‘kith care’.
Grandparent
care
Care provided by grandparents.
Informal
kinship care
Kinship care arranged privately between parents
& carers.
Statutory
(formal) care;
‘Looked
after’.
Protective care where abuse has been
substantiated by Child Protection, provided in an
authorised setting such as foster care, kinship
care, or residential care.

4. Why this review?
• 13 kinship care surveys over the
years 2007-2013.
• Resources for research are thin on
the ground – argument for making the
most of the data already available.
• Total of over 3,000 respondents -- -
an opportunity to identify outstanding
findings and messages for policy and
practice.

5. The surveys
4 Australian
Uni of NSW Grandparents study
Uni Western Sydney -- statutory carers
Uni of Melbourne statutory carers
Kinship Care Victoria
8 British
Family Rights Group, London
Grandparents Plus, London
Children 1st
, Scotland
1 New Zealand
Grandparents raising Grandchildren Trust

6. However, the data is biased…
Surveys focus on grandparent care
(61-100% of respondents across all
surveys).

7. UK census study
University of NSW census study of
grandparent carers
UK Understanding Society Survey
(smaller study)
Not only but also…three
population studies

8. Methodology
A systematic, configurative review of
quantitative and qualitative data
(Gough, Oliver & Thomas, 2012).
Narrative synthesis approach (Ridley, 2012);
methods for analysis described by
Petticrew & Roberts (2006).
Formal literature search for surveys and inquiries
via key informants in Australia, NZ, UK, USA and Ireland.
Selected items:
Survey reports published 2009­ − 2013
Population studies published 2011 − ­2013.

9. Types of familial kinship care, UK
2001­­ (formal and informal care)
Spotlight report, Nandy & Selwyn (2011)

10. We don’t yet know…
In Australia:
The extent of familial kinship care
(informal and formal).
The relationship between statutory
carers and children in their care (‘looked
after children’).
Anywhere in the world?
The incidence of non­­familial or ‘friends
care’ …

11. Results

12. Demographics
Over one­third of respondents in
each survey were sole carers;
respondents were almost always
female.
Nearly half of all carers were looking
over more than one kinship child.
Age range varied according to groups
targetted.

13. We can never afford to go anywhere or do anything
as everything costs money. I feel like a beggar all the time.
(‘Harsh Reality’, UK)
I have no other problems with my grandchildren, I love
them dearly and they bring me so much joy, but I need money.
(‘Run Nana, Run’, NSW Australia)
Financial hardship was reported by
one-third or more of survey
respondents in every survey
Finances

14. Health
High levels of physical and mental health
issues (e.g. two surveys found 40%+ of
grandparents had a long-term illness or
disability).
Both my wife and I came so close to physical
and emotional breakdown.
(‘Run Nana, Run’, NSW Australia)

15. ‘We’re very fortunate that we have one
another. We’re old. Bob is 72 and I’m 70.
This is just so hard, as it is for everyone
because physically we get very tired. We
have no respite. Our daughter is a great
help but she has three teenagers and she
works full-time.’
(‘Family Links’, Victoria Australia)
The stress on caregivers

16. Parental contact
High levels of parental contact, and a
significant level of difficulty with contact
arrangements.
There is great tension created in the house, fear,
uncertainty and alarm for grandparents. The little
girl doesn’t understand but attempts to manage
the relationship. (‘Family Links’, Victoria, Australia)

17. We had to battle every inch of the way, and it
takes its toll emotionally.
(‘Run Nana, Run’, NSW, Australia)
Legal issues,
including multiple court cases

18. legal aid
respite care
emotional support
parental contact
Myriad unmet support needs
including:
I am very hurt by this kinship arrangement. I put in
100% and get nothing back. Nobody is there for me
and to support me. (‘Family Links’, Victoria, Australia)
Blimey, I would need a bigger box to type it
all in. (‘With Family’, UK)
help with children’s
schoolwork
help with emotional &
behavioural issues

19. Despite considerable burdens of care,
many survey respondents described the
joy and satisfaction they derived from their
caring role.
Getting the love of the children is a pleasure.
(‘With Family’, UK )
The joy of caring

20. A bright note? Education
Two surveys reported on children’s
education; more children than not were
reported to be making good or excellent
educational progress.
My grandson is very bright, top of his
class…Maybe because he has been in
my care since birth and he is happy with
his secure attachment.
(‘View over time’, New Zealand)

21. Areas for further research
Census development and research to
determine the incidence and nature
of non familial and familial kinship‑
care in Australia, including
sibling kinship carers.
Educational outcomes for children in
kinship care.

22. We love caring for all the children and
see them develop and gain confidence.
It is not an easy path at times but it is not
dull! Kinship care seems to be the
“Cinderella” of the care system, so I hope
your research project might help these
people.
(‘Family Links’, Victoria, Australia)

23. Methodology references
1. Gough, D., S. Oliver, et al. (2012). An
Introduction to Systematic Reviews. London,
Sage.
2. Petticrew, M. and H. Roberts (2006). Systematic
Reviews in the Social Sciences. Oxford, Blackwell
Publishing.
3. Ridley, D. (2012). The Literature Review: A Step-
by-Step Guide for Students. London, Sage.

24. Further information
Report available at website of the
Australian Institute of Family Studies
www3.aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications
Comments, questions
and feedback are very welcome:
Meredith Kiraly
mkiraly@unimelb.edu.au