Parent and Carer Relationships
“Children need their parents in their lives – one way or the other”
Children and young people in care who have good relationships with their parents and family have better outcomes – no matter how long they are in care.
Much better results can be achieved for children, their parents, and family when parents and family are included more and in active and meaningful ways, which involves workers and carers acknowledging the importance of parents and family for children.
Key messages from research and practice
in support of family inclusion
Children and young people benefit when they can see parents and carers getting along well together
Relaxed family time together, including time at each other’s houses and shared events, is very supportive of children and contributes positively to stability for children
Many children leave care (no matter what the legal order), lonely and isolated from family and social support
Many parents and family experience disrespectful and abusive practice from the child protection and out of home care system
Children and young people benefit when their parents and family are treated with respect and are actively included in their lives
Good relationships between parents and carers lead to more successful restorations and better long term outcomes
Children and young people in care want and need a relationship with their parents and other family
Being placed in care is inherently traumatic for children and young people
All families have strengths
Family inclusion is consistent with NSW government policy
There is no evidence that supervision of family contact or written reports about family contact add any value to children’s experience of their time with family. There is some evidence that it may make things harder.
Children need their families to have ongoing involvement in their lives no matter what the legal order
Parents worry deeply about their children in care – getting to know carers and having good relationships with their children can help
When carers have judgemental attitudes towards parents this is harmful for children and damages relationships
Family inclusion is consistent with the NSW child safe and permanent care standards
Do you have a question?
If you require some additional direction or support, feel free to send us an email.