‘I’m dealing with all these health issues that could have been addressed when I was younger’. Delivery of health services to Australian young people in out‐of‐home care: Lived experiences

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madelaine Smales ◽  
Heather Morris ◽  
Melissa Savaglio ◽  
Helen Skouteris ◽  
Rachael Green
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Home Care ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Out Of Home Care ◽  
Delivery Of Health Services

Young People in, and Transitioning from, Out-of-home Care and their Mental Health Issues: A Call for Evidence

2014 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 200-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Baidawi ◽  
Philip Mendes ◽  
Pamela C. Snow
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Home Care ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Substantial Proportion ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Out Of Home Care ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
Care Leavers ◽  
Care Outcomes

Young people leaving state out-of-home care are among the most disadvantaged and vulnerable young Australians, and a substantial proportion experience mental health issues. This article reviews the literature relating to the mental health of care leavers, highlighting the gaps in the current Australian research base. Available studies indicate that mental health issues may worsen during the transition from care, yet mental and emotional health may also be neglected during this stressful period. Furthermore, care leavers with mental health issues are highly vulnerable to poor post-care outcomes, particularly homelessness. Implications for policy and research are discussed.

scholarly journals Australian Foster Carers’ Views and Concerns Regarding Maternal Drug Use and the Safety of Breastmilk

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 284
Author(s):  
Stacy Blythe ◽  
Kath Peters ◽  
Emma Elcombe ◽  
Elaine Burns ◽  
Karleen Gribble
Keyword(s):  
Home Care ◽  
Child Protection ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Infant Health ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Child Protection Workers ◽  
Out Of Home Care ◽  
Maternal Caregiving ◽  
Health And Development ◽  
Major Factors

Parental substance misuse and mental health issues are major factors associated with infant placement into out-of-home care. Such placements may result in disruption and/or cessation of breastfeeding. Provision of breastmilk to infants in out-of-home care (OOHC) is desirable in terms of infant health and development, and also in supporting maternal caregiving. However, little is known about how breastfeeding is supported for infants in out-of-home care. This study used an online survey to explore the facilitation of breastfeeding in the context of OOHC and foster carers’ management of expressed breastmilk (EBM). Foster carers were generally open to the idea of maternal breastfeeding and infants in their care receiving EBM from their mothers. However, the majority of respondents expressed concern regarding the safety of EBM for infant consumption due to the possibility of harmful substances in the milk. Concerns regarding the safety of handling EBM were also prevalent. These concerns caused foster carers to discard EBM. Findings suggest foster carers’ may lack knowledge related to maternal substance use and breastmilk. Better integration between health care and social service systems, where the voices of mothers, foster carers and child protection workers are heard, is necessary to develop solutions enabling infants living in OOHC access to their mother’s breastmilk.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document