The Search for Foster Parents
Children in Need of Homes
Some Suggestions by two Psychiatric Social Workers It seems likely that the future demand for foster homes will far exceed supply if, as seems probable, public opinion swings in the direction of placing destitute and problem children in private families, rather than in Homes and Institutions.
Up to the present, search for foster homes has generally been made amongst those sections of the community in which desire to take a child into the family has been influenced by economic needs. To some extent the child has been an economic asset. This does not necessarily militate against the child’s interests if the foster home can at the same time provide him with the emotional satisfactions that he needs although every social worker with experience of foster home placement can testify to the happiness which membership of an intelligent artisan family with varied community contacts, can bring to an insecure child.
But the tendency to look for foster homes solely from amongst the poorer groups of the community limits choice and may discourage offers from people in other walks of life. It may also deprive children of the advantages and opportunities that more lavish and cultured homes might provide.
It seems likely that there are untapped sources of supply that could be reached if, on the one hand, the need for foster homes were more widely advertised and, if on the other, the work of caring for other people’s children received the recognition and status that it so justly deserves.
While the experiences of evacuation during the war have illustrated many of the difficulties and less agreeable features that may accompany it, there are many foster parents who have enjoyed opening their homes to other people’s children. There are families, too, who evacuated their own children either to other parts of the country or abroad and, as a result, are grateful beyond measure for the care and affection the children received at the hands of complete strangers.
Many of the children who spent the war years overseas came from suburban or business homes and from social groups who, because perhaps of their geographical isolation from areas of poverty, or because of the self-contained nature of their habits of life and thought, have not been as aware as many others, of the needs of those less economically secure than themselves. Is it possible to arouse the interest of this group in taking foster children into their homes now that the war in Europe is over ? In many cases the children who have returned from abroad have come back to join the Services or are already out in the world, so that the question of accommodation is not necessarily an insuperable one, even in spite of the present housing shortage. It may be argued that on account of the widespread housing difficulties the moment is an unpropitious one in which to seek for foster homes in almost any district. On the other hand, the welfare of homeless and neglected children now lies heavily on the public conscience and the need is urgent. Receiving Homes where children could go to be prepared for the homes to which they would ultimately be sent, would probably be required and skilful selection would be necessary.
Undoubtedly if interest in taking on this important work is to develop, it must as has been said, be accorded the dignity and position it deserves. It must become a national service recognized as one demanding a high degree of skill and understanding. It must be supported, too, by an adequate supervisory service with trained and skilled personnel available to the foster parents, attached to local authorities or to social organizations of reputation. It is quite insufficiently realized at the present time to what extent the supply of foster homes depends on adequate supervision. This is the reverse of what many people outside the work might think, as their view of the function of the supervisor is based on ideas of inspection rather than that of intelligent co-operation with the foster parents in the interest of the child. This misconception which, particularly since the O’Neill case, is widespread, has serious practical results for it deters people from coming forward as foster parents through fear of unwarrantable interference by frequently intruding officials. The truth is, however, that once an intelligent foster parent recognizes the value of the help and skilled advice which an experienced supervisor is able to give, such help and advice is not only tolerated but eagerly sought. And it is co-operating and responsive foster parents of this type, whom we so urgently need.
It seems regrettable that even yet, many local authorities have not considered the question of appointing a Boarding-Out Officer responsible for placing children who come under the care of Public Assistance Departments, Education Committees, etc., and this although Treasury help is available. The appointment of a number of suitably trained workers might well help to establish the work on a broader and more professional basis and do much to raise its general status.
NOEL K. HUNNYBUN MENTAL HEALTH 51 HAPPINESS FOR THE ADOPTED CHILD Loving parents and a secure home are the prime needs of childhood. Where his own family cannot supply these it may seem that adoption will provide a complete substitute, but there are many points to be considered. Cases where an adopted child ls brought to a Child Guidance Clinic illustrate some of the difficulties which may arise. Even if the child is too young to realize what is happening when he is brought to the Juvenile Court for the Adoption Order to be approved, there is always the risk that later in life some hint ?f his origin will reach him. If the adoptive Parents have taken him into their confidence so that he knows he was chosen by them and that by law he belongs to them for always, he will better be able to stand the shock of learning that his own Mother could not or would not keep him.
Adoptive parents wisely hesitate before breaking the knowledge of the situation to the child when he is at an age to realize its implication, but they JTiay be faced with the painful necessity if their hands are forced by circumstances. The only vyay of avoiding this risk is by telling the child of the adoption as soon as he is able to understand at all. The fact will probably need to be repeated jf?rn time to time as the child’s grasp of the situation grows. An intelligent five year old who had een adopted two years before, apparently took n? notice of the revelation, but a fortnight later ran up to a grown-up friend saying eagerly : “I ?nce had another Mummy.” At intervals, sometimes with years between, he would refer to the subject and maintained the happiest relationship ^ith his new mummy.
Experience in dealing with the difficulties which n^ay arise, the adoptive parents fear of losing the child’s love, and his resentment at their withholding tacts of such importance to himself, gives the conviction that this is too big a risk to run. Telling the child shows confidence in him and should build up mutual trust. It is essential that this should be done from early years, as soon as the child asks any questions about his birth, or other opportunity arises.
Many children living with their own parents have phantasies of being changelings. When feeling neglected or unsuccessful they will dream of being claimed by princely parents and carried away from their sordid difficulties. This phantasy is so common that it is not surprising that it arises in adopted children as well, so that they quickly seize on any clue which suggests a different parentage. It is most important that they should know something of the true facts as illegitimate children are sometimes found to evade responsibility when grown-up by imagining rights to a fortune or blaming a bad heredity.
Such vexed questions as to how to ensure a reasonable chance of success in adoption by study of the child’s antecedents and at what age adoption should take place, have no complete answer. How far temperament is inherited, what is the earliest age at which mental or physical defect can be detected, are still subjects of research.
On whatever principles the child is adopted, mental health considerations still hold good. He needs a close personal relationship which adoptive parents can well give him, and this must be founded on mutual confidence. It therefore seems essential that for the peace of mind of both parties, the fact of the adoption should be faced and tackled. If this is done from a sufficiently early age, much suffering may be avoided. A frank sharing of the knowledge with the child, perhaps keeping it as a family secret so that no one else need know, may actually contribute to creating the desired close and personal relationship. Robin a S. Addis.
THE RETURN FROM EVACUATION
After ” Evacuation Problems ” come problems Rising out of the ending of Evacuation, and a Joint i?rnrr|ittee on this subject has been set up by the ^omen’s Group on Public Welfare (National ^ouncil for Social Service) and the National Council for Maternity and Child Welfare. Arising out of discussions of this Committee, toe National Provisional Council for Mental Health ^ published a pamphlet under the title ” Advice .^Parents on the Return from Evacuation “, which 11 ‘s hoped may be helpful also to social workers in c?ntact with homes to which evacuees have returned.
The pamphlet consists of some general advice to mothers on adjustment to post-war conditions, refers to special problems which will confront mothers who have themselves been evacuated, and deals with the needs of Nursery children, school children and children from Hostels in relation to their adaptation to home life.
Single copies can be obtained from the Provisional Council (39 Queen Anne Street, London, W.l) at Id. post free, but for larger quantities some charge over and above postage, will have to be made.
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