Understanding the Wellbeing Needs of First Nations Children in Out-of-Home Care in Australia: A Comprehensive Literature Review

Darren Garvey (), Ken Carter (), Kate Anderson, Alana Gall, Kirsten Howard, Jemma Venables, Karen Healy, Lea Bill, Angeline Letendre, Michelle Dickson and Gail Garvey
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Darren Garvey: School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia
Ken Carter: School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia
Kate Anderson: Yardhura Walani, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
Alana Gall: National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia
Kirsten Howard: Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
Jemma Venables: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
Karen Healy: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
Lea Bill: Alberta First Nations Information Governance Centre, Calgary, AB T2X 2A8, Canada
Angeline Letendre: Alberta First Nations Information Governance Centre, Calgary, AB T2X 2A8, Canada
Michelle Dickson: The Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Gail Garvey: School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4006, Australia

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 9, 1-19

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.

Keywords: out-of-home care; wellbeing; First Nations children; Australian (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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