The aim of the study was to gain knowledge about what role the foster carers’ biological children play in foster family care and also gain a deeper understanding of the biological children´s significance in a foster family care arrangement. The aim of the study has been conducted through the perspective of the Social services. The data collection consists of eight individual qualitative and semi-structured interviews with social workers who are currently working with foster families there biological children are living at home. The new childhood sociology and the concept of participation serve as the base of the theoretical framework and have been applied to the analysis of this study. The study shows that the respondents have a positive attitude towards the biological children´s presence in the foster families. They value the biological children´s function in the families as important and should thus not be forgotten. At the same time, there are no clear guidelines for how the social worker should work with foster carers’ biological children. The contact between the social worker and the biological children mostly goes through the children’s parents. The role of the biological children is not always clearly defined in the foster family care arrangement and their involvement can be perceived as insignificant. Furthermore the respondents terminates that no special support designed for biological children in foster families exists. Several respondents also reflect upon that they want to avoid burdening the biological children with responsibility that is not theirs to bear. The role of the biological children in the foster family care and their significance in the foster family care arrangement concludes therefore acknowledged by the social worker but not always recognized.

The aim of this study is to understand from a professional perspective the importance of the biological children’s participation in the family home process and how family home social workers use their room for maneuver to involve the biological children in the family home process. The method used to answer the aim and the research questions was semi-structured interviews with seven women that work as family home social workers and the empirical material was analyzed through a thematic analysis. The theoretical framework we used to analyze the results was Lipsky's theory of Street-level bureaucracy and discretion. The main findings of this study were that family home social workers think that the participation of biological children is important both for the child's own wellbeing, for the whole family's dynamics and for the outcome of a family home placement. The most common methods used by family home social workers to involve biological children are relationship building and different types of conversations depending on the children's age and maturity. The study showsin the family home investigation, there are formalized guidelines that the family home social workers work according to but there are no general guidelines in the work with biological children in the further family home placement. That results in a discretion for the family home social workers. The study shows opportunities for improvement in making the biological children more involved in the family home process and that the biological children's participation is important for the work of family home social workers. Our results both confirm and contrast previous international and national research presented in the study.

Denna kvalitativa intervjustudie syftar till att undersöka vuxna biologiska barns erfarenheter av att vara familjehem och hur familjehemsplaceringarna har påverkat de biologiska barnen. Studien undersöker om den psykosociala utvecklingen har påverkat de biologiska barnen, hur erfarenheterna av att växa upp som biologiskt barn i familjehem har påverkat de vuxna individernas nuvarande livssituation och hur de biologiska barnen upplevde sin delaktighet i beslut gällande familjehemsplaceringar. Studien genomfördes genom semi-strukturerade intervjuer där sju intervjupersoner mellan 19–44 år som hade vuxit upp som biologiskt barn i familjehem fick besvara frågor om deras upplevelser av olika områden av deras uppväxt i familjehem. Tematisk analys användes som analysmetod i studien.Resultatet av intervjuerna visar på att biologiska barn som växer upp i familjehem påverkas i olika grad av de barn som blir familjehemsplacerade hos dem. En del av intervjupersonerna nämner känslor av att hamna i skymundan, då de placerade barnen prioriterades när det gäller uppmärksamheten av vårdnadshavarna. Även skolgången påverkades negativt för en del av intervjupersonerna där dålig sömn var en avgörande faktor för de biologiska barnen, då sömnen gjorde att de presterade sämre i skolan. Även bortprioritering av egna skoluppgifter på grund av de placerade barnens behov att få hjälp i skolan påverkade de biologiska barnens skolgång åt det sämre då de inte fick tillräckligt med tid åt egna uppgifter. Intervjupersonerna nämner däremot hur de blivit mer förstående för när individer har det jobbigt och har enklare att finnas där för andra, detta på grund av uppväxten i familjehem. Majoriteten av intervjupersonerna uppger att de är positivt inställda till familjehem, men är däremot inte villiga att själva bli det som vuxna. / This qualitative interview study aims to investigate adults' biological children's experiences of being in a family home and how the family home placements have affected the biological children. The study examines whether the psychosocial development has affected the biological children, how the experiences of growing up as biological children in family homes have affected the adult’s current life situation and how the biological children experienced their participation in decisions regarding family home placements. The study was conducted through semi-structured interviews where seven interviewees between the ages of 19–44 who had grown up as biological children in family homes answered questions about their experiences of various areas of their upbringing in family homes. Thematic analysis was the chosen analysis method in the study. The results of the interviews show that biological children who grow up in family homes are affected to varying degrees by the children who are placed in family homes with them. Some of the participants mention experiences of being overlooked, when the children placed in family homes was prioritized the guardian’s attention. The education was also negatively affected for some of the interviewees, where poor sleep was a decisive factor for the biological children, as sleep made them perform worse at school. De-prioritization of own school tasks due to the placed children's need for help at school also affected the biological children's education for the worse as they did not get enough time for their own tasks. The participants, on the other hand, mention how they have become more aware when individuals are having a hard time and find it easier to be there for others, this due to growing up in a family home. Most of the interviewee’s state that they have a positive attitude to family homes, but are, on the other hand, not willing to become one themselves as adults.

Studiens syfte var att undersöka om och i så fall hur, socialsekreterarnas handlingsutrymme i familjehemsprocessen påverkar inkluderingen av de biologiska barnen i familjehemmen. Barns bästa är ett centralt begrepp i familjehemsvården, men det inkluderar inte de biologiska barnens bästa utan fokuserar på de placerade barnens bästa.  Genom en kvalitativ metod som metodval har vi med hjälp av semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfört nio intervjuer med barn-och familjehemssekreterare. Urvalsgruppen arbetar inom och på uppdrag av tre olika kommuner inom familjehemsvården. Tidigare forskning om de biologiska barnen i familjehem är ytterst begränsad. Forskning om familjehemsvården som utgår från ett barnperspektiv har fokuserat på de placerade barnen, inte de biologiska barnen i familjehemmen. Forskning om familjehem har främst haft ett vuxenperspektiv och utgått i från föräldrarnas upplevelser av uppdraget. De biologiska barnen i familjehem ses som en helhet med familjen och inte som subjektiva aktörer.  Socialsekreterarnas handlingsutrymme inom familjehemsprocessen bidrar till skillnader för de biologiska barnen i hur mycket och under vilka delar av familjehemprocessen de inkluderas.  Studiens resultat visar på att det finns behov av att göra de biologiska barnen mer inkluderade i familjehemsprocessen och lyssna på deras upplevelser av familjehemsvården. Det finns behov av mer forskning om och med de biologiska barnen i familjehem som utgår i från deras perspektiv. / This essay focuses on the lack of inclusion of biological children in the foster care process, based on the discretion of social workers. The study aims to investigate whether and how the discretion of social workers in the foster care process affects the inclusion of biological children. While the best interest of the child is a central concept in foster care, it does not encompass the best interest of biological children but rather focuses on the best interest of the placed children.  Title: "Part of a Whole". A qualitative study on how social workers include the biological children in various stage of the foster care process.  Using a qualitative approach, nine semi-structured interviews were conducted with child and family welfare social workers. The sample group works within and on behalf of three different municipalities involved in foster care. Previous research on biological children in foster care is extremely limited. Research on foster care from a child's perspective has focused on placed children rather than biological children in foster care. Research on foster care has primarily taken an adult perspective and relied on parents' experiences of the assignment. Biological children in foster care are seen as part of the family as a whole and not as subjective actors.  The discretion of social workers in the foster care process contributes to differences for biological children in how much and during which parts of the foster care process they are included.  The results of the study indicate the need to include biological children more in the foster care process and to listen to their experiences of foster care. There is a need for more research about and involving biological children in foster care that is based on their perspective as children.

Educational Studies / M.Ed.

Text in Afrikaans / Gesinne met aangenome kinders bevind hulself in 'n eiesoortige gesinsituasie. Die situasie stel verskeie eise aan die ouers asook aan die kinders in die gesin. Bo en behalwe die universele gesinsuitdagings, moet bulle ook die uitdagings uniek aan die aannemingsituasie bemeester. Gesinne met aangenome kinders bevind hulself soms in moeilike situasies en benodig dan ondersteuning. Daarom is daar in hierdie studie besluit om ondersoek in te stel na die effek van gesinsterapie in gesinne met aangenome kinders. Die doel was om vas te stel in watter mate gesinne met aangenome kinders gehelp kan word om probleme te oorkom met gesinsterapie as terapeutiese intervensie. Die navorsing is gedoen aan die hand van 'n kwalitatiewe ontwerp waar data hoofsaaklik ingesamel is deur vraelyste, observasie en onderhoudvoering. Daar is tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat gesinsterapie effektief gebruik kan word om hulp te verleen aan die gesin met aangenome kinders. Daar word as 'n span aan die probleme gewerk aangesien gesamentlike doelwitstelling-plaasvind en dit dien ook as 'n belangrike saambindende faktor van die gesinslede. AI die gesinslede se probleme kon gelyktydig aangespreek word in plaas van op 'n individuele basis. / Families with adopted children find themselves in a situation with unique demands made on them as a family as well as on an individual level as a parent or a child. They have to master the universal family challenges as well as the challenges of the family with adopted children. These families often find themselves in complex situations, which are difficult to handle and thus need the necessary support. The reason for this study was therefore to investigate the effect of family therapy in families with adopted children. The aim was to find out how effective a family with adopted children could be helped to solve the problems experienced with family therapy as therapeutic intervention. A qualitative analysis was conducted and data was gathered primarily through questionnaires, observation and interviewing. The results of the research led to the conclusion that family therapy was indeed an effective therapeutic intervention as far as families with adopted children were concerned. It provided the family to work together as a team and created unity. All the family members' problems could also be addressed at once instead of individually. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Voorligting)

<p>Sammanfattning</p><p>Syftet med studien var att belysa hur familjehemsföräldrar uppfattar sina biologiska barns behov av stöd från socialtjänsten i familjehemsprocessen. De frågeställningar som legat till grund för studien är vilket stöd familjernas egna barn blir erbjudna från socialtjänsten och vilken form av stöd föräldrarna önskar för de egna barnen. Vidare på vilket sätt de egna barnen i ett familjehem är delaktiga i familjehemsprocessen.</p><p>Metoden som använts i studien är kvalitativ. Via information från familjehemsföräldrar har de biologiska barnens behov av stöd från socialtjänsten undersökts. Det skedde genom att intervjua fem familjehem som hade haft hemmaboende egna barn, under en period av minst tre till fem år, samtidigt som en fosterbarnsplacering. För att kunna besvara uppsatsens frågeställningar studerades tidigare forskning som till viss del belyser hur de biologiska barnen upplever sin situation.</p><p>Studiens teoretiska tolkningsram är förutom tidigare forskning också systemteori som visar på hur man i familjesystemets relationer påverkar varandra, samt utvecklingsteori som belyser barns behov och utveckling i olika åldrar.</p><p>Resultaten som framkommit i studien visar att de biologiska barnen bör synliggöras på ett tydligare sätt genom hela familjehemsprocessen. Vidare bör socialtjänsten se de biologiska barnen som en del av familjehemmet och erbjuda dem samma stöd, handledning och information som föräldrarna erbjuds.</p> / <p>“They are used to share us with others” - Biological children’s participation in the foster care process</p><p>Abstract</p><p>The purpose of this study was to enlighten how foster parents consider their biological children’s need of support from the Social services in the foster care process. The questions on which the study is based has been “Which support is actually offered from the Social services?” and “What form of support do the foster parents wish for their biological children?” Also “In which ways are the biological children part of the foster care process?”</p><p>The method used in the study is qualitative. Through information gathered from foster care parents, the biological children’s need of support has been examined. One of the criteria was that the five interviewed foster care homes had had biological children living at home, during a period of at least three to five years, coinciding with a foster care placement.</p><p>In order to answer the questions, raised for the study, previous research has been examined, which enlightens the situation of biological children in foster care families.</p><p>The studies theoretical frame of interpretation is, besides previous research, also system theory which shows how you, within the family systems relations affect each other, and development theory which enlightens children needs and development during various ages.</p><p>Results from the study shows the importance of making the biological children more visible during the entire foster care process.</p><p>Furthermore the Social service should see the biological course as part of the foster home, and offer them the same amount of support, guidance and information offered to the parents.</p>

Sammanfattning Syftet med studien var att belysa hur familjehemsföräldrar uppfattar sina biologiska barns behov av stöd från socialtjänsten i familjehemsprocessen. De frågeställningar som legat till grund för studien är vilket stöd familjernas egna barn blir erbjudna från socialtjänsten och vilken form av stöd föräldrarna önskar för de egna barnen. Vidare på vilket sätt de egna barnen i ett familjehem är delaktiga i familjehemsprocessen. Metoden som använts i studien är kvalitativ. Via information från familjehemsföräldrar har de biologiska barnens behov av stöd från socialtjänsten undersökts. Det skedde genom att intervjua fem familjehem som hade haft hemmaboende egna barn, under en period av minst tre till fem år, samtidigt som en fosterbarnsplacering. För att kunna besvara uppsatsens frågeställningar studerades tidigare forskning som till viss del belyser hur de biologiska barnen upplever sin situation. Studiens teoretiska tolkningsram är förutom tidigare forskning också systemteori som visar på hur man i familjesystemets relationer påverkar varandra, samt utvecklingsteori som belyser barns behov och utveckling i olika åldrar. Resultaten som framkommit i studien visar att de biologiska barnen bör synliggöras på ett tydligare sätt genom hela familjehemsprocessen. Vidare bör socialtjänsten se de biologiska barnen som en del av familjehemmet och erbjuda dem samma stöd, handledning och information som föräldrarna erbjuds. / “They are used to share us with others” - Biological children’s participation in the foster care process Abstract The purpose of this study was to enlighten how foster parents consider their biological children’s need of support from the Social services in the foster care process. The questions on which the study is based has been “Which support is actually offered from the Social services?” and “What form of support do the foster parents wish for their biological children?” Also “In which ways are the biological children part of the foster care process?” The method used in the study is qualitative. Through information gathered from foster care parents, the biological children’s need of support has been examined. One of the criteria was that the five interviewed foster care homes had had biological children living at home, during a period of at least three to five years, coinciding with a foster care placement. In order to answer the questions, raised for the study, previous research has been examined, which enlightens the situation of biological children in foster care families. The studies theoretical frame of interpretation is, besides previous research, also system theory which shows how you, within the family systems relations affect each other, and development theory which enlightens children needs and development during various ages. Results from the study shows the importance of making the biological children more visible during the entire foster care process. Furthermore the Social service should see the biological course as part of the foster home, and offer them the same amount of support, guidance and information offered to the parents.

The purpose with this study is to find out the experience of growing up in a family where the biological parents, has taken the assignment as family child caregiver’s. We have taken the help from the following question formulations to immerse ourselves in the subject. How do the biological children experience their relationship to their parents? How do the biological children experience their relationship to the children who are placed in their home? How do the biological children experience their participation in the family home? How do the biological children experience the need for support from outside the family? We have used a qualitative research method and interviewed six respondents with help from a semi-structured interview guide to get the respondents unique experiences told. In this way the respondents own perspective is presented in a phenomenological way, without coloring their stories with our own naive theories. We have processed the material with help from topics that affect our question formulation. Sibling relationship, relations to parents, participation and support from social welfare and also the family home assignment. The results from the interviews are introduced with help from the Attachment theory, KASAM, Systems theory, literature and research in the subject. Our conclusions are that the biological children have had a participation in the decisions concerning the family home. We have also established that the biological children in our study rarely had to take responsibility for the children placed in their home. The result also shows that the biological children experience varying relationships to the children placed in their home. Some respondents describe it as a sibling relationship while some describes their relationship to the placed children more like a friendly relationship. Our respondents experiences to their parents are good with some exceptions during some particular troublesome periods in their growth. Everyone told us that they could talk to their parents about most of the things regarding the family home but they also said that they felt the need of a person outside the family to talk to, like some support from the social services.

Educational Studies / M.Ed.