Being in foster care can be very challenging. Many children have a history of neglect or abuse and many must continually try to adapt to new or changing environments. This can lead to behavioural and mental health issues.
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Changing places
Children in foster care Wales and elsewhere can feel like they are constantly being moved around and suffer as a result of a lack of consistency. This can cause or compound emotional wounds and lead them to be more likely to suffer from depression, behavioural problems and anxiety. PTSD can be an issue, as can secondary trauma in foster families.
Childhood trauma
Foster carers with agencies such as saferfostering.org.uk/foster-care-wales/ have to understand that many looked-after children have a history of psychological, emotional or physical trauma. They may then feel like they constantly have to ‘start over’ within the system, and can develop attachment or detachment issues. This can have a long-term effect on a young person’s ability to maintain and form healthy relations.
Children will often need support and help to understand, process and understand their past. Without this, there is a likelihood that many will experience emotional, mental and physical symptoms, even into adulthood.
These young people require mental health care and ongoing support to move forward in a positive way and overcome the likes of stress disorders, anxiety, depression, BPD, ODD, conduct disorder, separation anxiety and eating disorders. Help may also be needed to avoid or move on from risky behaviours, including delinquency, violence and substance abuse.
Summary
This article outlines mental challenges children can face in foster care, including behavioural and mental health issues linked to neglect or abuse. It covers how frequently changing placements can cause depression, anxiety and PTSD, and how childhood trauma can lead to attachment issues affecting relationships long-term. It stresses ongoing mental health support helps young people process their past and avoid risky behaviours.
Questions this article raises
- How do foster carers actually get trained to recognise these mental health signs?
- How common is it for these challenges to persist well into adulthood?
- What support is available to reduce the number of placement changes children face?
