Beyond contact European Perspectives on Work with Families of Children Placed Away From Home Janet Boddy

The study Funded by the Nuffield Foundation Project team UKJanet Boddy, University of Sussex June Statham, Institute of Education DenmarkInge Danielsen, University College Copenhagen FranceHélène Join-Lambert and Séverine Euillet, Université Paris Ouest Nanterre La Défense NetherlandsEsther Geurts, Netherlands Youth Institute work-families-children-placed-away-home

Aims Learning from difference: fresh perspectives from cross-national work Stimulating reflection and discussion, not evaluating effectiveness Sharing approaches to similar problems Implications for policy and practice development in England -Ongoing policy concern including Children and Families Bill development

Contexts FranceDenmarkNetherlandsEngland Total population (m) Looked after children (N) 133,67112,56540,45068,110 Rate of LAC per 10,000 under 18 years % of LAC in foster care 53%51%54%75% % of LAC in residential care 39%40%46%9% % of LAC placements involving some delegation of parental authority 2.5%12%20%73%* Care Orders 59% Placement Orders 14%

From contact to involvement? Keeping informed Delegated authority and ‘symbolic’ decisions ‘Contact’ or being together: samvær ‘[Parents] can come whenever they feel like, drink a cup of coffee, dine with the group, or take part in the cosy time in the evening.’ (Residential home described in Danish policy guidance, 2011) Intervention to address the problems that led to placement Dedicated support (mandated in law) for parents of looked after children in Denmark and Netherlands

Beyond contact  Children return home from care  Relationships with families continue in care, after leaving care and into adulthood  Even when there is no ‘contact’, family forms part of identity; children and families need to come to terms with separation  Distinguishing aims and approaches Intervention with family problems Maintaining relationships and involvement Support wider family networks for the future Psychological understanding and future relationships