Understanding the Wellbeing Needs of First Nations Children in Out-of-Home Care in Australia: A Comprehensive Literature Review
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Published:2024-09-13
Issue:9
Volume:21
Page:1208
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ISSN:1660-4601
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Container-title:International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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language:en
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Short-container-title:IJERPH
Author:
Garvey Darren1ORCID, Carter Ken1ORCID, Anderson Kate2, Gall Alana3, Howard Kirsten4, Venables Jemma5, Healy Karen5, Bill Lea6ORCID, Letendre Angeline6, Dickson Michelle7ORCID, Garvey Gail1ORCID
Affiliation:
1. School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia 2. Yardhura Walani, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia 3. National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia 4. Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia 5. School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia 6. Alberta First Nations Information Governance Centre, Calgary, AB T2X 2A8, Canada 7. The Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Abstract
Introduction: Despite the increasing overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (hereafter respectfully referred to as First Nations) children living in out-of-home care (OOHC) in Australia, little is known about their wellbeing needs. This comprehensive literature review aimed to identify these needs and the features of care required to meet them. Methods: MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, Informit, PsycINFO, and Embase databases and relevant grey literature were searched from inception to December 2023 for articles presenting qualitative accounts and perspectives relevant to the wellbeing needs of First Nations children in OOHC. These included reports from First Nations children in OOHC; First Nations adults with lived experience of OOHC; carers, caseworkers, and organizational stakeholders; and First Nations community members with relevant lived and/or professional experience. We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis method for data analysis. Results: Thirty-five articles (19 peer-reviewed, 16 grey literature) met the inclusion criteria. Our analysis revealed six wellbeing needs of First Nations children in OOHC: Being seen, being heard; a sense of stability; holistic health support; social and cultural connections; culturally safe OOHC providers; and preparedness for transitioning out of care. A range of features of OOHC were also identified as critical for supporting these needs. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that First Nations children in OOHC have unique wellbeing needs in addition to safety, security, and health. Attention to the development and maintenance of social and cultural connections is an important concern that must be addressed by OOHC providers (caseworkers and organizations) and carers and supported by OOHC policy and the associated systems in Australia as part of providing culturally safe and supportive care.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council NHMRC Leadership
Reference71 articles.
1. Commonwealth of Australia (2011). An Outline of National Standards for Out-of-Home Care, Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, National Framework Implementation Working Group. 2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2022, September 30). Child protection Australia 2020–2021, Available online: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/child-protection/child-protection-australia-2020-21. 3. Liddle, C., Gray, P., Burton, J., Prideaux, C., Solomon, N., Cackett, J., Jones, M., Bhathal, A., Corrales, T., and Parolini, A. (2021). The Family Matters Report 2021, SNAICC. 4. Productivity Commission (2023). Closing the Gap Annual Data Compilation Report July 2023, Productivity Commission. 5. Australian Government Productivity Commission (2024). Report on Government Services Part F, Section 16: Child Protection Services 2024, Australian Government, Productivity Commission.
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