Emergency foster care as a solution for younger children – supporting transitions from the perspective of children, carers and professionals

When children are considered to be in need of immediate protection or support, they can be placed in emergency foster care by the social services. An emergency foster home is a person or family who care for children temporarily. This type of out-of-home care has increased considerably in recent years and is often used for younger children.

Previous research shows that many children placed in emergency foster care have been exposed to trauma and violence, and that there are deficiencies in preparing children for transitions to and from placements.

There are gaps in information to children about why they are removed from their birth home, what a placement entails, who will care for them, and were they will be moved after the emergency placement period.

Despite the fact that emergency foster care is an intervention that is often used, there is a clear lack of research in the Swedish context.To facilitate children´s transition to and from emergency placements, Save the Children has developed information and support materials to promote their participation.

The materials, called “Safe Landing” has been in focus for a pilot study where social workers in five municipalities have participated in training to be able to use the materials together with children.In this project, that will be conducted in close collaboration with Save the Children, the aim is to explore emergency foster care as a solution for younger children from the perspective of children´s rights and needs, and to evaluate, adapt and implement an intervention to support younger children in transitions to and from emergency foster care.

The project has a practice-oriented approach and will be investigated through a survey, interviews with managers, social workers, consultants from consulting companies and foundations, emergency carers and children, and an evaluation and further development of the “Safe Landing” materials.

In total, the project will involve 15 geographically spread municipalities.The project is expected to contribute to filling a knowledge gap on social work with emergency placements from a children´s rights perspective and benefit emergency placed children in transition.

Access to information and support can make the situation more understandable and manageable, thus improving children´s sense of security and coherence.

The project is also expected to benefit professionals and carers by giving them tools to remind them of key points in preparing for children´s transitions.