For many children whose parents are in crisis, kinship care is an option that Children’s Aid Societies are increasingly looking at. Kinship care arrangements offer many benefits to a child but the success of the placement greatly depends on how ready the family taking the child in is.
In preparing to become a kin family, it is helpful to discuss important issues, include the child in the transition and also be familiar with the support services that may be needed.
What Can Kinship Care Families Do Before the Child Arrives?
To help set the stage for being a kinship care family, it is important to be aware of the pros and cons, and also to build relationships with people who can help the child transition to the kinship home. The kinship care family can:
- Build a relationship with the Children’s Aid Society worker
- Have a developmentally appropriate conversation with the child about the situation
- Make arrangements for school, activities and maintenance of important relationships
- Discuss any outstanding issues around birthparents with qualified professionals
Even though the kinship care arrangement is a big undertaking for the family providing care, it is of key importance that the child’s safety and well-being be the most primary consideration.
How Can the Kinship Family Help the Child Transition to the Home?
Moving a child to a new home is traumatic, even if the caregivers are known to the child. It is also not uncommon for kinship care families to already have the child living with them before the kin arrangement becomes formal.
In both cases however, it is necessary the child understand the transition and have input into the changes that are going to occur. For example, kinship care families should:
- Ensure that toys, books and personal items are moved to the kinship home
- Have the child help decorate her room
- Be clear about rules, responsibilities and schedules within the household
- Have favourite foods and comfort items in the house to help with adjustment
- Go through photo albums and talk about good times with the birthfamily
- Be respectful of birthparents despite issues that exist
- Parent with limits and give outlets for expressing feelings
- Come up with a plan on how to handle family gatherings and visits with birthparents
In many cases, the kinship family will need to seek help to ensure the transition is as non-traumatic as possible. Being open to receiving outside help is a very important part of making a kinship care arrangement successful.
What Kind of Support Should the Kin Care Family Seek?
It is completely normal for kinship care families to need help in taking care of the child’s needs. Families often believe they do not need outside support, but it is important for kin care families to be familiar with the services available in case the need arises. Typical supports for kinship care families include:
- Eligibility for financial support if the child is in the care of the Children’s Aid Society
- Workshops and information such as PRIDE Training (in Ontario)
- Respite support for the kinship care family
- Support from social workers and mental health professionals for both the child and caregivers
- Tutors and mentors to help with the child’s adjustment
It is also crucial for the kinship care family to let the people in their social and employment network to know about the situation, but to be careful about sharing too many details about the child’s circumstances.
It may not be an easy road, but if the kinship care arrangement remains child-centred, it is easier to navigate through the difficult weeks, months or years ahead. By having open communication, including the child in the process and knowing where to find help, moving a child to a kinship care home can be a less traumatic process.
Related Suite101.com articles:
Pros and Cons of Kinship Care and Family Adoptions in Ontario
What is Kinship Care in Adoption?
Source:
Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies Website. Kinship Service & Kinship Care (accessed April 5, 2010).
Angela Krueger - As an adoptive parent and PRIDE adoption trainer, Angela uses her insights to help others on their adoption journey.
