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Needs and preferences of parents of adolescents with multiple and complex needs in residential care

The perspective of parents whose children are in residential care, has received only minor attention in the literature, despite evidence pointing out the value of parental involvement in care delivery for their child. Drawing upon in‐depth interviews with 12 parents of adolescent girls with multiple and complex needs in residential child welfare, this exploratory study describes parents' own needs and preferences with regard to care delivery. Parents wish: (a) to have a true partnership between parents and professionals (involvement), (b) to feel respected by professionals (respect), (c) to have the information and mandate necessary for decision‐making (agency), and (d) to receive consideration and (emotional) support, besides advice on how to handle the challenges their family faces (support). Their plea draws attention to an aspect of the dimension of "parent–caregiver partnership" in family‐centred residential care that deserves more emphasis. Indeed, being attentive to the needs of parents can contribute to the optimization of services for the most vulnerable families. 

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Key Information

Type of Reference
Jour
Type of Work
Journal article
Publisher
Wiley-blackwell
Publication Year
2018
Issue Number
4
Journal Titles
Child & Family Social Work
Volume Number
23
Start Page
693
End Page
700
Language
English