Exploring Stability Within Kinship Care From the Perspective of Kinship Carer Advocates

Abstract

Kinship care is increasingly recognised as an important care option within the Australian out-of-home care (OOHC) system. However, kinship carers face multifaceted challenges that set them apart from other carers within the system and internationally. Through the lens of kinship carer advocates, this research explores factors that contribute to placement stability in kinship care. Advocates offer a unique perspective on the interface between the child protection system and the carers that has not been explored before. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 South Australian kinship carer advocates to gain insights into their perspectives. Findings of this research highlight the need to recognise kinship care as a unique alternative within OOHC, engaging with three overarching themes: stability in an ecological system of care, bridging support gaps to achieve placement stability, and recognising instability in kinship care. In the context of these three themes, advocates emphasised priority to implement trauma-informed, whole of family support frameworks to further promote stability within kinship placements. However, the concept of stability, often framed as uninterrupted continuity of care arrangement, came under examination and scrutiny in light of these research findings, encouraging further research in this area.