Kinship care for the safety, permanency, and well-being of children removed from the home for maltreatment: review

Abstract

Presents findings from a systematic review which aimed to evaluate the effect of kinship care placement on the safety, permanency, and well-being of children removed from the home for maltreatment. Results suggest that children in kinship foster care experience better behavioural development, mental health functioning, and placement stability than do children in non-kinship foster care. Although there was no difference on reunification rates, children in non-kinship foster care were more likely to be adopted while children in kinship foster care were more likely to be in guardianship. Children in non-kinship foster care were also found to be more likely to use mental health services. Findings support the practice of treating kinship care as a viable out-of-home placement option for children removed from the home for maltreatment.