Families and caring

This bibliography provides a selection of recent references from the Australian Family & Society Abstracts database and the Australian Institute of Family Studies library catalogue.

The publications listed are held in the Australian Institute of Family Studies Library and can be borrowed via the inter library loan system or acquired directly from the issuing body. Direct links to documents on the Web are provided when available.

References are arranged alphabetically by title in the following sections:

Child friendly communities
Families caring for disabled mmbers
Family friendly work options
Family members as carers
Grandparents raising grandchldren
Male carers
Out-of-home care

Child friendly communities

Building child friendly communities.
Smart, Fiona
Rattler no.76 Summer 2005: 17-19

The Child Friendly Challenge, which encourages all Australians to help ease the stress of a parent or carer and make a difference to a child, was developed in response to the national rise in child abuse cases. This article discusses the benefits of child friendly communities and how they can be created.

Child friendly community action kit: a guide to building child friendly communities.
National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN)
Surry Hills, NSW: NAPCAN Foundation, 2005, 60p, tables, figures, Online only (PDF 5202K)

Information on how to make your community child friendly is provided in this kit. The kit presents advice on forming a child friendly Community Action Group and planning child friendly initiatives. It discusses the issue of child abuse and neglect, including types of abuse, the effects of child abuse and neglect, the long term nature of the problem, the economic cost of child abuse and neglect, and the benefits of prevention. It describes what a child friendly community is, how child friendly communities prevent child abuse and neglect, and indicators of a child friendly community, and it looks at examples of child friendly community initiatives in New South Wales, Victoria and the Northern Territory. It explains the three stages of making change raising awareness, increasing participation and building capacity - and gives tips on organising events, fundraising, managing your group, networking, planning your activities, working with the media and having your own newsletter.

Cities for angry young people? From exclusion and inclusion to engagement in urban policy.
Iveson, Kurt
In: Gleeson, B. and Sipe, N. eds. Creating child friendly cities: reinstating kids in the city. Abingdon, Oxon, UK: Routledge, 2006, p49-65

Efforts are often made to exclude 'anti social' young people from urban spaces, due to concerns about crime and social disorder. This chapter summarises arguments for replacing exclusion policies with the inclusion of young people in public spaces and questions the benefits of this approach. Strategies that focus on engagement with young people are put forward as alternatives to social control. The chapter looks at some case examples of neo liberal approaches to urban governance and their impact on young people, namely a curfew for young people in Perth and finding 'graffiti solutions' in Sydney.

Creating child friendly cities: reinstating kids in the city.
Gleeson, Brendan ed.; Sipe, Neil ed.
Abingdon, Oxon, UK: Routledge, 2006, 164p, tables, figures, ill.

What effects do the physical and social make up of Western cities have on children and young people? Do they service and nourish their health and well being needs? This book examines the study of the urban welfare of children at the international, national and metropolitan levels; and the relationship between planning and health and their effect on children. It then looks at three policy and program examples that aim to address the well being of children in contemporary Australian and New Zealand cities: the walking school bus programs in Auckland; strategies to avoid the 'social trap' that sees parents driving their children everywhere because of uncertainty about what other parents do; and a review of the efforts of planners, developers and designers to provide recreational spaces for children in cities. All chapters have been selected for individual indexing.

The National Agenda for Early Childhood.
Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
Canberra, ACT: The Department, 2007, 37p, Online (PDF 131KB)

The purpose of the framework set out in this document is to guide current and future activity in Australia that supports optimal child development during the first eight years of life, including before birth. The framework proposes four areas for action, based on the latest evidence and on feedback from widespread consultations. These are: healthy families with young children; early learning and care; supporting families and parenting; and, building child friendly communities.

United Nations: a key player in a global movement for child friendly cities.
Malone, Karen
In: Gleeson, B. and Sipe, N. eds. Creating child friendly cities: reinstating kids in the city. Abingdon, Oxon, UK: Routledge, 2006, p13-32

During the past 50 years, cities have been growing at an alarming rate due to massive increases in population growth. In response to this change, the United Nations has turned its attention to sustainable development and children's rights. This chapter outlines these efforts, as well as UNICEF's Child Friendly Cities Initiative and UNESCO's Growing Up in Cities project. It looks at the needs of children and young people, the positive and negative aspects of growing up in cities, and the benefits of the above strategies.

Visions of a child friendly community.
National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect NSW; University of Western Sydney
Haymarket, NSW: National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect NSW, 2005, 27p, and Online (PDF 1.61MB)

Academics, decision makers, practitioners, people who care for children, and children themselves were consulted about their vision of a child friendly community. Their ideas which comprise this booklet include: friendly relationships, space, transport, services, work and learning; taking children and young people and their rights seriously; listening to children and young people; working with children and young people; valuing difference; understanding the needs of children with disabilities; safety; balance; respect; valuing fathers; community support; safe, supportive and stimulating schools; and the benefits of mentoring.

What constitutes child friendly communities and how are they built?
Howard, Amanda
West Perth, WA: Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth, 2006, 55p (Evidence into action topical paper), Online (PDF 821K)

This paper draws on research and practice literature and on the experiences and observations of practitioners working across Australia in an attempt to identify the key themes and elements of a child friendly community and how this kind of community can be built. The literature reviewed spans the areas of child development, community development, urban planning, community economic development, social research and early childhood education. Practitioners interviewed came from urban, regional, rural and remote communities in all states except Tasmania.

Woe or wellbeing? Creating a child friendly Macarthur Region.
Blakester, Adam
Public Administration Today no.8 Jul - Sept 2006: 54-58

A child friendly, community strengthening vision for the Macarthur Region of Sydney, an area of social and economic disadvantage, was developed in 2005. The vision aims to support the well being and development of children and young people through supporting relationships. This article discusses the development and implementation of the vision, which includes workshops with children and young people, Aboriginal workshops and a decision makers' forum.

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Families caring for disabled members

Disability and family carers.
Spicer, Ian
Family Matters no.76 2007: 30-31

This article summarises many of the issues faced by families during lifelong care of family members with disabilities. Issues include the effect on other relationships, competing caring roles, social isolation, reduced labour force participation, increased expenditures, care planning, limited respite services, and longer life expectancy, with its effects on parents and the types of care needed - all of which emphasises the need for support and alternative care arrangements for these at risk families.

Out-of-home - not out of the family: rethinking the care of children with profound disabilities.
Eyler, Paula
Newcastle, NSW: Disability Advocacy Service Hunter, 2005, 14p, Online (PDF 89K)

Past practice saw the placing of children with profound disabilities in large institutions soon after birth. This paper reviews the current policy direction in light of the views and experiences of families who care for their children with a profound disability. It examines policies and practices for children with profound disabilities for Australia (New South Wales), Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. It also reports on extensive interviews with the families of four children with profound disabilities living in the Hunter region of New South Wales about their experience of caring for their children and their views about alternative methods of caring for their children.

Parents of adults with an intellectual disability.
Cuskelly, Monica
Family Matters no.74 2006: 20-25

There are an increasing number of adults with an intellectual disability living into middle and old age, and often these adults are cared for by their parents in the family home. Individuals who live in other accommodation generally still receive both practical and emotional support from their parents. This article reviews the literature, details some of the demands and strains experienced by parents of adults with an intellectual disability, and examines factors that research suggests may affect parents' capacities to cope with these.

Services for children with a disability and their families: Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC): progress and future challenges.
NSW Ombudsman
Sydney, NSW: NSW Ombudsman, 2006, 12p, tables, Online (PDF 179K)

This is a follow up special report to Parliament to one made in 2004 which investigated how the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care implemented its policy for children and young people with a disability. Particular focus was on supporting families at risk of giving up the care of their child, arrangements to support children and young people who were voluntarily placed in care, and arrangements to monitor the quality of accommodation services provided on a fee-for-service basis. The report acknowledges the progress made by the department to address the issues raised, reports on what the department has done, or is doing, to improve service provision to children with disabilities and their families, and foreshadows the need for future assessment of the longer-term results of the department's changes on those dependent on disability services and support.

Stronger together: a new direction for disability services in NSW: 2006-2016.
New South Wales. Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care
Sydney, NSW: Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care, 2006, 33p, Online

'Stronger together', the NSW Government's commitment to the specialised disability support system over the next ten years, aims to deliver more support more quickly for people with a disability and their families and carers. The initiative has a focus on strengthening families, promoting community inclusion, and improving the service system's capacity and accountability. This paper outlines the ten year plan.

Supporting families supporting young carers.
Carers Australia and Australia. Department of Family and Community Services
Canberra, ACT: Department of Family and Community Services, 2005, 32p, and Online (PDF 686K)

This booklet contains advice and strategies to help parents whose children care for a friend or family member with an illness, a disability, a mental health issue or a drug and alcohol problem. It contains case studies and discusses: the effects of caring on children and young people; what child carers and young carers need; feelings and relationships; taking care of yourself so you can take care of your children; discussing things as a family; celebrating the positives; where to get help in an emergency; and other support that is available.

The individual and family impact of care for a person who has chronic serious illness or disability.
Cantwell-Bartl, Annie
Grief Matters v.9 no.1 Autumn 2006: 12-14

The personal care and support of a person with a severe disability or a chronic illness can extend over a lifetime. This article focuses upon the experience of the parents, or carer, and the wider family impact. Carers' needs are frequently neglected, and the family's needs disenfranchised. Carers and their families can experience many losses and cumulative grief. Loss is further complicated by stress and sometimes by psychological trauma, and can leave a legacy of anxiety, exhaustion and other psychological effects, which can result in long term difficulties, and sometimes family breakdown. In spite of the difficulties this care can also be a privilege, but families require professional recognition, advocacy and ongoing support. (Journal abstract)

Tjulngula (we are together): Tri-State Disability Services Framework 2005-2008 for the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands.
Tri-State Disability Services Group
Darwin, NT: Northern Territory Department of Health and Community Services, 2005, 10p, Online (PDF 1.7MB)

The Tri-State Disability Services Group (TDSG) was established in 2003 by the Northern Territory Department of Health and Community Services, the Western Australian Disability Services Commission, and the South Australian Department of Family and Community Services to coordinate disability services across the 'cross-border region' or country of the Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara (NPY) people which stretches across 28 communities and homelands. The NPY Lands, where approximately 6000 people live, cover 350,000 square kilometres of South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. The framework contains principles and objectives for collaboration between the three jurisdictions, to enable joint planning, development and funding of disability services between governments, non-government services and communities.

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Family friendly work options

A really good husband: work/life balance, gender equity and social change.
Connell, R W
Australian Journal of Social Issues v.40 no.3 Spring 2005: 369-383

'Work/life balance' as a contemporary issue is fundamentally linked with gender justice. The issue emerged from historical transformations of the gender order, in which masculinities and femininities were attached to distinct spheres of home and workplace; but this institutional division has been weakening. Current dilemmas are documented in a field study of gender equity issues in ten public sector worksites. Because domestic labour is still predominantly women's work, 'family friendly' workplace policies mainly serve to support women's domestic commitments. Women are held accountable for managing the balance, though this has now also become part of the work of managers. Other aspects of public sector restructuring work against men's commitment to domestic equality. In these circumstances the ideal of 'balance' is itself open to debate. The ideological consequences of the re-inscription of maternity and contemporary anxieties about masculinity require a renewal of the concept of the common good as a basis of policy. (Journal abstract)

Better conditions, better business: a report on carer and family friendly provisions in Australian small and medium enterprises.
Sensis
Canberra, ACT: Office for Women, 2007, 49p, tables, figures, Online (PDF 1.91MB)

Commissioned by the Office for Women, this report examines the availability and take up of family friendly provisions within Australian small and medium enterprises. It draws upon 2006 data from the Sensis Business Index survey of 1,800 small and medium enterprise operators. For this survey, additional questions were asked covering 19 specific carer and family friendly provisions, as well as providing businesses with the opportunity to discuss other provisions they offered, the impact and potential impact of skills shortages on their businesses, and their ability to change working provisions to attract and retain quality employees.

Beyond the 'crisis' rhetoric: designing policy for work and family integration for employed mothers.
Lindsay, Jo; Maher, JaneMaree
Just Policy no.38 Dec 2005: 21-26

The rhetoric of crisis characterising public debate on family friendly work places and policies suggests an inherent conflict between women's paid work and mothering. The paper acknowledges the considerable difficulties that obstruct the reconciliation of work and family; maternity leave, childcare and part time work policies and practices in Australia provide clear evidence of a hostile working environment for working mothers. It argues, however, that the 'crisis' label is counterproductive because it focuses on the conflict rather than on the practices and tactics that could advance policy debate towards the development of an integrated family policy straddling social security, industrial relations, taxation and health considerations.

Creating family friendly workplaces: getting the balance right for women in small non government organisations.
Melbourne, Vic: WIRE, 2006, 27p

Information on family friendly workplace policies and practice is presented in this booklet, which addresses the following topics: why we need family friendly workplaces; the options available to help women balance work and family life; how to make these options happen in the workplace; how small organisations can overcome the barriers to implementing family friendly practices.

Good mothers and good workers: a case study exploring the 'seamless' approach to work and child care responsibilities.
Willis, Karen; Natalier, Kristin
Just Policy no.39 Mar 2006: 39-44

Discourses on women's expected priorities in relation to work and family responsibilities are explored. The article presents a case study of Janie Dickinson, mayor of Launceston, who brought her child to work rather than making use of other child care options. It argues that child care services are based on conceptual distinctions of worker and mother, and that those who do not keep these identities separate are regarded as problematic. The article discusses the role of the media and three key themes in the debate: role conflict, the imposition of individual choice, and equality in the workplace. It considers how the idea of family friendly is conceptualised in our society.

Men's uptake of family-friendly employment provisions.
Bittman, Michael; Hoffmann, Sonia; Thompson, Denise
Canberra, ACT: Department of Family and Community Services, 2004, 208p, (Policy research paper no.22) and Online (PDF 1140K)

This report of research into men's uptake of family-friendly workplace provisions comprises two parts: a review of the literature in the area; and two case studies of companies that have introduced family friendly policies into the workplace, one a manufacturer operating in a highly competitive market, and the other a corporatised public utility. The report reviews the advantages and disadvantages for men of managing the competing demands of work and family, noting that take up rates for Australian men are low. It also gives details of policies designed to encourage men's use of parental leave in ten countries. Barriers to men's use of available provisions are identified.

Striking the balance: women, men, work and family: discussion paper 2005.
Goward, Pru; Mihailuk, Tania; Moyle, Sally; O'Connell, Karen; De Silva, Natasha; Squire, Sarah; Tilly, Jo
Sydney, NSW: Sex Discrimination Unit, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, 2005, 135p, figures, tables, and Online

The ways in which men and women balance their family responsibilities, their paid work, and the pressures and barriers they face in doing so, are explored in this paper. The paper covers the following: paid and unpaid work in Australian families; children, gender and unpaid work; caring for people with disabilities, elder care and grandparents as carers; why work and family issues are important for Australian families and for Australia; effects on children; relationship breakdowns and post divorce consequences; macro economic effects of paid work and family imbalances; the social benefits of care; anti discrimination legislation and family responsibilities; the Sex Discrimination Act; workplace relations, policies and practices and the business case for change; the Workplace Relations Act; government support for working families; attitudes to paid work and family responsibilities; and options for reform.

Telework for Australian employees and businesses: maximising the economic and social benefits of flexible working practices: report of the Australian Telework Advisory Committee to the Australian Government.
Australia. Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts; Australia. Department of Employment and Workplace Relations
Canberra, ACT: Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts and Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, 2006, 67p, and Online (PDF 744K)

As a flexible working arrangement, telework has the potential to assist communities, government, employers and employees meet a number of economic, social and personal goals. This report identifies opportunities for telework to contribute to broader social and economic goals identified by the Australian Government as areas of policy priority. The report concludes that while there are employees and businesses already undertaking telework through individual and collective agreements at the workplace level, there are a number of organisations that have not. This report identifies opportunities for action to increase the uptake and spread of telework across workplaces and maximise its potential benefits for Australian businesses, workers and communities.

Voting with their feet: family friendliness and parent employment in Australian industries, 1981-2001.
Strazdins, Lyndall; Broom, Dorothy H; Meyerkort, Shannon; Warren, Belinda
Australian Bulletin of Labour v.32 no.4 2006: 381-400, figures, tables

Many Australian industries have instigated family friendly provisions, but these vary. In some industries, the span of ordinary working hours has also changed, requiring work on evenings, weekends and holidays. How have these changes affected where parents work? Charting 1981 - 2001 Census data, this article found that fathers showed an overall decline as a proportion of employed men, with little difference among industries. Mothers also declined as a proportion of employed women, but with divergent industry trends. Retail showed a seven percent drop in mothers, following the deregulation of shopping hours. By contrast, the public service, the industry with the most family friendly conditions at the start of the study period, increased its share of mothers by six percent. Minimal family friendly provisions and a wide span of hours may make it harder to recruit or retain mothers and could be a disincentive for mothers' employment. (Journal abstract, edited)

Work and family: the importance of workplace flexibility in promoting balance between work and family.
Andrews, Kevin
Canberra, ACT: Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, 2005, 15p

Flexible, family friendly working arrangements are needed to respond to the dramatic increase in numbers of working women. The following issues are discussed in this paper: changes in workforce participation; the importance of part time and casual work; flexible working arrangements; maternity payment; government policies assisting Australian families; workplace relations reforms; protection against discrimination and unlawful termination; minimum entitlement to parental leave; paid maternity and paid parental leave; personal or carer's leave; Australian Workplace Agreements; Office of the Employment Advocate's Better work life balance project; the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency; industry projects on workplace flexibility; National Work and Family Awards.

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Family members as carers

Carers' health: why we need a carer health initiative.
Sheen, Colleen
Health Issues no.90 Autumn 2007: 12-14

Australian and international evidence indicates that family carers generally have poorer health and well being than non carers. Impact of caring is worse if the carer has been providing care for a long time. The availability of carers, and their ability to continue their caring role, is critical to the sustainability of the current Australian health and community care systems. While the Australian government has recognised the significant contribution of carers - through income support for carers and carer support services by way of national respite and other programs - little has been done to promote and maintain the health and well being of carers through targeted health programs and interventions. This article looks at health initiatives aimed at improving carers' health and well being. (Journal abstract)

Diverse strategies for diverse carers: the cultural context of family carers in NSW.
Cardona, Beatriz; Chalmers, Sharon; Neilson, Brett
Parramatta, NSW: Centre for Cultural Research, University of Western Sydney for the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care, 2006, 66p, tables, Online (PDF 193K)

This research into the everyday experiences of carers from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and Anglo Australian backgrounds aimed to increase awareness and understanding of the diversity of caring experiences, and the inter relationship of cultural, socio economic and gender issues in shaping these experiences. The report examines cultural dimensions of family responsibility towards the elderly, factors influencing service use and non use, caregiver burden, workforce development issues, under utilisation of services, language barriers, dealing with disability issues, carers and mental health issues, notions of entitlements and citizenship rights, and carers in a global and cross cultural context.

Raising families: urban women's experiences of requiring support.
Jackson, Debra; Mannix, Judy; Faga, Pat; Gillies, Donna
Contemporary Nurse v.18 no.1 Dec 2004 - no.2 Jan 2005: Special Issue: Advances in Indigenous Health Care: 97-107

This paper reports on an exploratory descriptive study of urban women's experiences of dealing with difficult and demanding situations in their lives as mothers and family carers in contemporary Australian society, and explores women's experiences of seeking support for family issues. Participants' insights about the nature and availability of support for themselves and their families when in these stressful situations are revealed. Participants sought support from various personal networks, community and self help groups, and professional helpers. However, adequate support was not always available. Nurses have the potential to further develop their role in relation to providing support to women raising families. (Journal abstract, edited)

Social policy for family caregivers of elderly: a Canadian, Japanese and Australian comparison.
Harvey, Carol D H; Yoshino, Satomi
Marriage and Family Review v.39 no.1 - no.2 2006: 143-158, table

What are the expected familial roles for care of the frail elderly in Japan, Australia and Canada, and how do these roles relate to government aged care policy? Government research reports and policy documents from each of the above countries were analysed for this study. The article summarises the history of elder care in each country, before comparing the philosophy of their current aged care policies.

The psychoeducation needs of parents who have an adult son or daughter with a mental illness.
Reid, Joanne; Lloyd, Chris; de Groot, Lyn
Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health (AeJAMH) v.4 no.2 Sept 2005: 13p, Online only (PDF 86K)

Since deinstitutionalisation, parents of adults with mental disorders are increasingly utilised as a resource for their relatives' care. This study used a general phenomenological perspective to capture people's experiences. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with eight parents who were members of the Schizophrenia Fellowship of Southern Queensland to explore their perceptions of their psychoeducation needs. The themes that emerged included the usefulness of past experiences with psychoeducation, educational needs, barriers to accessing information and support, and other unmet carer needs, including the need for managing stress and emotional needs, recognition and inclusion of family members in decision-making, and negotiating the best care for their family member within the health care system. This study adds to an increasing body of knowledge that advocates for the greater inclusion and involvement of families in the care and treatment of their relatives. Further research into the needs of families, in particular barriers and supports in accessing information and services, is recommended. (Author abstract)

Who will look after her when I die? Report on the Ageing Carers of People With a Disability Project.
Cameron, Jill
Footscray, Vic: Carers Victoria, 2005, 31p, Online (PDF 378K)

The Ageing Carers Project used a community development approach to work with unpaid carers and parents who are 65 years and over who care for someone with a disability and who live in the western metropolitan region of Melbourne. The project worked to assist the carers and to help plan for continuity of care for the person with a disability in order to ease carers' concerns about the future. This report discusses ageing carers' health and well being, issues for ageing carers identified in the literature, service system issues identified in the literature, and findings from consultations with service providers. It includes case studies.

Who's going to care? Informal care and an ageing population.
Percival, Richard; Kelly, Simon
Canberra, ACT: National Centre Social and Economic Modelling, University of Canberra, 2004, 43p, tables, figures, Online only (PDF 393K)

The ageing of Australia's population along with the shift from formal, institutional care to informal, home based care raises questions about the future demand for and supply of carers for people over the age of 65 in Australia. This study presents projections of this demand and supply, based on Australian Bureau of Statistics population and household projections and its Disability, Ageing and Carers Survey. The study projections show a significant increase in the number of older people likely to need informal care between 2001 and 2031, and a smaller increase in the number of people likely to become carers. The composition of the disabled and carers populations also shifted in the projections, showing a greater concentration of elderly people in both groups.

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Grandparents raising grandchildren

Custodial grandparenting: individual, cultural, and ethnic diversity.
Hayslip, Bert; Hicks-Patrick, Julie.
New York, NY : Springer Pub. Co., c2006. xviii, 334 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.

A resource for practitioners and educators who work with grandparents raising their grandchildren. Provides information which services can use to evaluate their current policies and devise funds, services and programs to help this growing population successfully raise their grandchildren.

Family functioning: grandparents raising their grandchildren. In: Australian social trends 2005. Australian Bureau of Statistics
Canberra, ACT: Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2005, 210p, figures, statistical tables (ABS catalogue no.4102.0)

In 2003, there were 22,500 Australian families in which grandparents were the guardians of their grandchildren (31,100 children aged 0-17 years). Australian Social Trends describes aspects of Australian society, and how these are changing over time. Chapters focus on a major area of social concern, and each includes national and state summary tables, and information about data sources and definitions.

Grandparent-headed families in Australia.
Horner, Barbara; Downie, Jill; Hay, David; Wichmann, Helen
Family Matters no.76 2007: 76-84, figure, illus.

Grandparent-headed families are increasingly prevalent in Australia and are one of the fastest growing forms of out-of-home care of children with the public welfare system. However, there is minimal information regarding the characteristics and experiences of Australian grandparent-headed families who assume care through the intervention of child protection services, or those who arrange parental care of their grandchildren privately. Evidence is needed on which to build a policy or service framework to address the health and wellbeing of these grandparents, and ensure quality and safe care of children and young people who are no longer able to live with their biological parent(s). (Journal abstract)

Grandparenting: present and future.
Families Australia
Barton, ACT: Families Australia, 2007, 42p (Family issues no.2), Online (PDF 278K)

The following issues for Australian grandparents and grandchildren are identified and addressed in this report: grandparents as carers; grandparents providing childcare; grandparents not seeing grandchildren; the needs of grandchildren. The report summarises the results of a forum on grandparenting, a focus group consultation and other consultations and research. Its recommendations recognise that many grandparents, especially those with primary caring responsibilities for grandchildren, would benefit from more financial, social and emotional support and from more information about where to get help.

Grandparents and other relatives raising kin children in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
Worrall, Jill.
Birkenhead, Auckland: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Charitable Trust, c2005.

This paper presents the individual stories of grandparents and other relatives who are the primary care givers to kin children in 323 New Zealand families.

Grandparents parenting grandchildren because of alcohol and other drugs.
Baldock, Emma; Petit, Carolyn
Curtin, ACT: Canberra Mothercraft Society, 2006, 60p, tables

The Supporting Grandparents Parenting Grandchildren of Families Affected by Alcohol and Other Drugs project aimed to raise the visibility of these grandparents, identify their needs, strengthen family resilience and enhance current services for grandparents. This report describes the development, implementation and evaluation of the project. The project began in 2004 and used an action research methodology.

Grandparents raising grandchildren: formation, disruption and intergenerational transmission of attachment.
Connor, Sandi
Australian Social Work v.59 no.2 Jun 2006: 172-184

Nationally and internationally, grandparents support their children and grandchildren by caring for those children who may be at risk in their own home, often in the contemporary context for extended periods. Attachment theory provides a framework to consider how the lives of children, parents and grandparents are affected when grandchildren come to live with their grandparents, whether it be on a shared basis or as a long-term arrangement. The concept also provides a guide to supporting each generation in the contemporary context, as formal or informal arrangements. (Journal abstract)

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Male carers

Distributions of caregiving tasks among family members: the place of gender and availability.
Lawrence, J A; Goodnow, J J; Woods, K; Karantzas, G
Journal of Family Psychology v.16 no.4 Dec 2002: 493-509, tables, figures

This article presents results from two studies that investigated the ways in which care giving is distributed among family members. The studies focussed on allocation in terms of gender and availability related to other commitments such as paid work, marriage and parenting. The authors consider the implications for other circumstances and populations, and for public policy.

Elderly husbands caring at home for wives diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease: are male caregivers really different?
Cahill, S
Australian Journal of Social Issues v.35 no.1 Feb 2000: 53-72, tables

In Australia, there is a dearth of literature available on men as principal carers despite reports which show that in the 60 + age group, looking after a sick spouse becomes the major form of caregiving and men as carers predominate (ABS, 1993). The paper reports findings from a Queensland study of 26 aged husbands who cared at home for their cognitively impaired wives. In-depth interviews collected quantitative and qualitative data about men's caregiving experiences. Findings challenge the literature about the role gender plays in evoking care and service responses. Results show how men demonstrated a strong injunction to care, performed intimate personal care tasks competently, received limited government support and derived some satisfaction from the caregiving role. Despite similarities between male and female caregivers being noted, some gender differences in the way in which men approached the care role are described. The need for community care policies to be more sensitive to the gendered context of elderly care provision is discussed. (Journal abstract)

Men as caregivers: theory, research, and service implications.
Kramer, Betty J.; Thompson, Edward H.
New York: Springer Publishing, 2002. xii, 394 p. : ill. ; 24 cm.

Contents: 1. Men caregivers: an overview -- 2. What's unique about men's caregiving? -- 3. Theoretical perspectives on caregiving men -- 4. Methodological issues in research on men caregivers -- 5. Psychosocial challenges and rewards experienced by caregiving men: a review of the literature and an empirical case example -- 6. Physiological challenges associated with caregiving among men -- 7. The experiences and relationships of gay male caregivers who provide care for their partners with AIDS -- 8. AIDS caregiving stress among HIV-infected men -- 9. The voices of husbands and sons caring for a family member with dementia -- 10. Brothers and parent care: an explanation for sons' underrepresentation -- 11. Fathers as caregivers for adult children with mental retardation -- 12. Differences between fathers and mothers in the care of their children with mental illness -- 13. Husbands caring for wives with cancer -- 14. Professional sensitivity to religion-spirituality among male caregivers -- 15. Principles and interventions for working therapeutically with caregiving men: responding to challenges -- 16. Service utilization and support provision of caregiving men -- Epilogue: implications for practice and future research.

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Out-of-home care

Achieving placement stability in the lives of children and young people in out-of-home care.
Queensland. Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian
Brisbane, Qld: Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian, 2006, 8p (Issue paper no.1 2006), Online (PDF 2259K)

What are the effects of placement instability for children and young people in out of home care in Queensland and elsewhere, and how can their long term needs and interests be better met? This paper considers what is known about placement instability for children in out of home care, looking at the impact of the age of the child, timing and duration of placement, placement with siblings, placement with relatives, family connections, behavioural and emotional problems, failed attempts at reunification, and carers' skills and commitment. It also discusses impacts of placement instability, including poor attachment.

Achieving stable and culturally strong out of home care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Secretariat of the National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC)
North Fitzroy, Vic: Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care, 2005, 30p, illus., and Online (PDF 836K)

This publication is an approach to out of home care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children that: is culturally strong and provides security and stability without adoptions and the need for strict permanency planning rules; includes a central role for foster carers in supporting children in out of home care to maintain and strengthen their connections with their Indigenous family and community; and recognises the strengths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family and kinships systems. The paper represents the views of the National Executive of the Secretariat of National and Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC), the national peak body in Australia representing the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families, and provides the recommendations of SNAICC.

Attachment and the role of foster carers.
New South Wales. Department of Community Services. Centre for Parenting and Research
Ashfield, NSW: Centre for Parenting and Research, NSW Department of Community Services, 2006, 3p (Research to practice note), Online (PDF 136K)

The importance of attachment within the context of foster care is discussed in this research note, which provides background information about the relevance of attachment to children in foster care and then covers: what attachment is, types of attachment, disorganised attachment, children entering care, building relationships in foster care, and things in relation to attachment for foster parents and other carers to consider.

Enhancing out-of-home care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.
Higgins, Daryl; Bromfield, Leah; Richardson, Nick
Melbourne, Vic: Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2005, 78p, tables, and Online

This project aimed to develop strategies to enhance the recruitment, retention and support of Indigenous carers, and cultural connections for Indigenous children in out of home care, particularly home based care. Consultations with key stakeholders in the out of home care sector in each state and territory were conducted, as were focus groups with Indigenous young people in care, and Indigenous and non Indigenous carers of Indigenous young people in Western Australia and Queensland. This report describes the methodology and discusses the results: perspectives of young people; perspectives of carers, agencies, departments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations; holistic approach to service provision with Indigenous families; getting help for biological parents; children with complex needs; interlinked nature of recruitment, retention, assessment, training and support; pre placement; kinship carers; the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle; roles of government, Indigenous and non government agencies; types of care.

Exploring the dimensions of professionalising fostering: carer's perceptions of their fostering role.
Smyth, Ciara; McHugh, Marilyn
Children Australia v.31 no.1 2006: 12-20, tables

Australia is experiencing major difficulties attracting and retaining foster carers. This paper examines data from a 2003-2004 survey of foster carers in New South Wales. The research explores carers' perception of the nature of the fostering role and examines these in relation to three dimensions of professionalisation: training, support and payment. The findings indicate that the majority of carers believe fostering should be regarded as a professional or semi professional role. Among these carers, there was a higher level of support for the three dimensions of professionalisation compared to carers who regard their role as voluntary. This paper also addresses the policy implications of these findings for the future recruitment and retention of carers. (Journal abstract, edited)

Foster care: a vision for the future.
Weston, Nina B
Corny Point, SA: Children in Crisis, 2006, 22p

The role of foster carers must be redefined and professionalised. This booklet considers concerns about the current voluntary based system, which lacks adequate training and support. It discusses standards of care, the skills and attributes of foster carers, carer competencies and accreditation, support for foster carers, and the recruitment and retention of foster carers.

Out-of-home care in Australia: messages from research.
Bromfield, Leah; Higgins, Daryl; Osborn, Alexandra; Panozzo, Stacey; Richardson, Nicholas
Melbourne, Vic: National Child Protection Clearinghouse, Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2005, 133p, tables, Online

This research project reviewed Australian out of home care research. It was designed to share good practice in Indigenous out of home care arrangements, build the capacity of Indigenous carers, identify the needs of non Indigenous carers, and enhance cultural connections for Indigenous children. The report contains the results of: an Australian and international literature review; consultations with key stakeholders; and focus groups in Western Australia and Queensland with Indigenous carers, non Indigenous carers of Indigenous children, and Indigenous children and young people. It discusses foster families; participation of children and young people in care; cultural considerations in placement decisions; reunification issues; outcomes for children and young people in care; leaving care; residential and specialised models of care; kinship care; professionals in associated fields working with children in out of home care; the out of home care service system and policy; and service provision and policy.

Recruiting, maintaining and retaining foster carers: capturing the wisdom of carers and workers.
Hayden, Paula; McHugh, Marilyn
Developing Practice: The Child, Youth and Family Work Journal no.15 Autumn 2006: 19-27, table

Australian and international research on the recruitment, maintenance and retention of foster carers is reviewed. The article discusses the demographics of foster carers, recruitment strategies, and training for carers. It includes results of a forum with workers and carers, held in Sydney in 2005, that considered rural foster care, Indigenous foster care, and the experiences of foster carers and workers.

Social and emotional issues of children in kinship foster care and stressors on kinship carers: a review of the Australian and international literature.
Dunne, Emer G; Kettler, Lisa J
Children Australia v.31 no.2 2006: 22-29

The Australian and international literature on social and emotional issues affecting children in kinship foster care, and on stresses experienced by kinship foster carers, is reviewed. The ideology supporting the use of kinship care is that it is in the child's best interests because it helps them to maintain ties with their family of origin. The literature suggests that children placed with kinship foster carers suffer from a range of social and emotional issues and these may impact on outcomes in adulthood. The existing literature does not, however, adequately differentiate the impacts of kinship care itself from the children's pre existing difficulties and there is a paucity of literature comparing kinship care outcomes with outcomes for children who have experienced other forms of out of home care. Common stressors on kinship foster carers are economic disadvantage, stress, health issues and lack of resources. (Journal abstract, edited)

The recruitment, retention, and support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander foster carers: a literature review.
Richardson, Nick; Bromfield, Leah; Higgins, Daryl
Melbourne, Vic: Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2005, 95p, tables, and Online

There are significantly fewer Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers than there are Indigenous children in out of home care. This report examines the recruitment, retention, training, assessment and support of Indigenous people caring for these children. It discusses: trends in out of home care; out of home care and Indigenous people; the causes of child maltreatment and other family violence in Indigenous communities; a contextual framework for out of home care in Australia; the placement of children into out of home care; Indigenous specific contextual issues in out of home care in Australia; recruitment and retention of foster carers; cultural competence; motivations to become a carer; effective recruitment practices; assessment of foster carers; training; retention and satisfaction; support; recruitment and retention of kinship carers; gaps in the literature; a contextual framework for kinship care; children and young people in care; children's wellbeing; children's services; wellbeing of Indigenous children.

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