Outcomes for permanence and stability for children in long-term care in Ireland

This article is based on research about children in long-term care. It focuses on the factors that help and hinder a child being and feeling stable in their foster home and having a sense of permanence. The research was carried out with children in care inGalway and Donegal between 2008 and 2013. It was proposed by Tusla – Child and Family Agency and carried out by the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUI Galway)UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre (UCFRC). The main factors that were found to influence permanence and stability were relationships, communication, support and continuity. The research shows that it is not only the connection between the child and the foster family or parent that matters. Instead, the whole system surrounding the child must also be taken into account. A model was developed from the research which showed that children in care often have a more complicated system than other children, as it includes both the family of origin and the foster family. This research has been used to inform and improve practice in the children-in-care teams in Galway and Donegal. In particular, this article outlines resources available to foster families in terms of training, services and support.