A Different Identity: An exploration of identity for children in foster care.

Western Model As children gradually separate themselves from their parents or primary carer and create their own sense of self, their identity develops.’ ( Looking After Children, 1995)

The Circle “Your in the clan, it’s like a circle, if you take one piece out the circle brakes.” ( Mal Walker, Aboriginal Elder) LIFE-DEATH-LIFE Unconditional love Birel Nai Jeungunman ( god of all creation) Includes genetics

Young Person in Care “Identity it’s like your inner person, like your personality yeh and like stuff like that” “My personality” Fred & Vicki 12yr g in care

Background Registered art therapist with 14 years experience working with children and young people. Reconnect worker for the Dept. of Families Community based work in child & adolescent counselling Worked in local Indigenous community.

Methodology In depth narrative art interviews with 20 young people aged Different age appropriate methods were used. As part of the interview respondents were invited to create artwork.

Group Breakdown 5 children in each 4 age ranges Each of these groups containing a selection of young people who are Indigenous and non-Indigenous,in and not in out of home care, male and female.

Breakdown 65% of respondents were in out of home care. 15% identified as a combination of Aboriginal, Torres Strait and Australian South Sea Islander Cultures. 55% were Indigenous/ Anglo although 3 children were presently unaware of their Aboriginal background. 65% were female

Culture 40% identified with more than one culture 30% of Indigenous /Anglo children identified as only Anglo, all were in out of home care. 80% were from a combination of cultures. 45% were comfortable with their hybrid status. 12 yr, female, not in care

Profile 50% of parents separated or divorced, 70% were children in care. 20% nuclear family in tact, none were in care. 50% are in long term out of home care, 10% in relative care. 15% had little to no contact with mother, all were in care and Indigenous.

Profile 15% had no contact with siblings, none were in care. 55% had little to no contact with father and 30% wanted to disown their family name. All are in care and the father was cited as the main abuser by the young person.

What young people had to say about Australian culture “Stupid question it just is.” 16yr Anglo/ f in care “Culture is the place that you live in” 12yr Aboriginal/Anglo /f in care “Australian culture is rough and tough, guts and sporty.” 14yr Aboriginal/Anglo / m in care

Identity Confusion 35% displayed identity confusion all were in out of home care, 71% were female, 42 %Indigenous, 57% Indigenous/Anglo. “Spotty” 15 yr old Indigenous/Anglo female in care

Who are you and describe self? 30% said name 35% said age 5% said gender –male respondent 10% said school grade 15% said culture 15% said skin colour 25% said “what you are like”

What is important to you? 30% said family of origin, none were in care. 30% said friends, majority were in care and Indigenous. 30% said extended family 20% said culture, none were in care. 75% said siblings, all were Indigenous 15% said a pet. 20% said art materials

Connection to family 75% felt connected to their siblings. 25% felt connected to foster family 35% felt disconnected from family of origin, all were in care. 35% felt disconnected from extended family, all were in care. 50% displayed attachment issues, all were in care

Self esteem 25% talked of having issues with trust all are in care. “ I keep it to myself, keep it inside me cos I just wont tell anyone and feel like running away.” 8 Yr old Indigenous girl in care

Self Esteem 20% had history of depression, all were in care, Indigenous and 90% were female. 25% felt unequal to others, all were in care and Indigenous. 30% dislikes their physical self, 90% are female,90% are in care. 25% were highly self critical 25% feared abandonment, all are Indigenous and in care. 20% said they would change everything in their life, all were in care.

Key Findings The Family and Culture: Many Indigenous children in foster care are not given opportunities to know their “country”, be involved in ceremony and ritual or have knowledge of where they fit into the “circle” or clan.

The Circle V’s Separation Principle of developmental theory is of familial separation and autonomy. Principle of the Indigenous circle is one of familial attachment and entrenchment.

Findings Young people not in care were much more connected to family of origin and extended family and as a result identified culture and cultural practices as being important to their sense of self. Young people in care were much more likely to have lost contact with father, mother, siblings and extended family.

Findings Young people in care also displayed attachment issues and felt unable to trust. Young Indigenous/Anglo females in care are much more likely to suffer identity confusion and develop self esteem issues particularly around body size. Siblings and regular contact with siblings was viewed as very important by the majority of young people.

Implications for Practice Child protection workers need to recognise and incorporate into practice other cultural paradigms about childhood and adolescence in order to obtain best outcomes for children and young people in out of home care.

Implications for Practice Child protection workers need to learn to listen to children and young people. “They should listen to young people. Hear what they have to say… to ask them what they think and if they are safe”. 15yr f “Not really happy with the department there’s not enough people and they are not around to listen to what you really want”. 14yr m

Implications for Practice Identity and cultural identity are strongly linked to regular contact and cultural involvement with extended family. “ They should let me do respite with family not white carers so I can see my other family more”.( 8yr g who is in relative care but relative not linked into family)

Implications for Practice There is a need to recognise that culture and sense of belonging is about regular connection with their extended family. Sense of belonging is related to ones sense of self and self-esteem for young people. Need to ensure participation in familial cultural practices.

Implications for Practice Young people in care expressed a strong desire for more regular, ongoing contact with siblings. Many children in care develop very close sibling bonds due to the sharing of trauma. “They could make my visits Thursday with mainly my brothers and sisters and get phone contact with my older brother”. 8yr m “I’d change the visits and spend more time with my sisters”. 12yr f

Consequences of current practice. Young people in care are much more likely to suffer identity confusion, low self esteem, depression and feelings of not belonging.