CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF MALTREATMENT OF CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE: CASE STUDY IN OKE ERI COMMUNITY

ABSTRACT

This study aims to investigate the causes and effects of maltreatment of children in foster care within the Oke Eri community, with a focus on caregiver factors, systemic challenges, mental health consequences, and protective factors. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative interviews with caregivers, social workers, and community members, along with quantitative analysis of existing data on maltreatment incidents and child outcomes. This study includes 100 foster caregivers, social workers, and community members in Oke Eri community. The findings reveal that caregiver stress, lack of training, and burnout contribute significantly to maltreatment incidents in foster care. Systemic challenges such as funding limitations and high caseloads hinder effective child protection efforts. Maltreated children exhibit higher rates of mental health disorders, attachment difficulties, and social-emotional challenges. However, protective factors such as supportive relationships, trauma-informed care, and early interventions show promising outcomes in mitigating the effects of maltreatment. This study underscores the complex interplay of factors contributing to maltreatment in foster care settings and highlights the urgent need for comprehensive interventions. Policies should prioritize caregiver support, training programs, systemic reforms, and trauma-informed approaches to address the root causes of maltreatment and promote positive outcomes for children in foster care, particularly within the Oke Eri community.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

The foster care system is an indispensable mechanism meticulously devised to furnish transitory accommodations and nurture for juveniles who are unable to reside with their biological kinfolk owing to a multitude of factors, including but not limited to maltreatment, disregard, or parental incompetence. Whilst the primary objective of foster care is to safeguard the welfare and security of these susceptible children, there have been widespread apprehensions regarding the occurrence of maltreatment within the foster care system on a global scale. Maltreatment, in its broadest sense, encompasses a range of deleterious behaviours such as abuse, neglect, and exploitation, which inflict harm or distress upon the vulnerable population of children. It is important to note that these acts of maltreatment can manifest themselves in diverse environments, including the context of foster care.

This scholarly investigation delves into the intricate and multifaceted causes and consequential effects of maltreatment experienced by vulnerable children who find themselves in the intricate web of foster care. The primary objective of this study is to meticulously examine a specific case study situated within the Oke Eri community, thereby shedding light on the intricate dynamics at play within this particular context.

One of the fundamental contributing factors to the occurrence of maltreatment in the foster care setting can be attributed to the insufficiency of proper oversight and monitoring mechanisms inherent within the system. The study conducted by Smith et al. (2020) has revealed that social workers in the field of foster care frequently encounter challenges in delivering consistent supervision and support to foster families, primarily due to the burden of high caseloads and limited resources. The absence of proper supervision can give rise to circumstances wherein maltreatment may transpire, as the carers might not possess sufficient training or be subject to adequate monitoring in the discharge of their caregiving duties.

Moreover, it is important to note that the intricate backgrounds of children who are entering the foster care system play a significant role in increasing the likelihood of experiencing maltreatment. It is worth noting that a considerable number of children who find themselves in foster care have undergone traumatic experiences, such as instances of abuse or neglect within their biological families. These experiences have the potential to manifest in various behavioural and emotional difficulties. The challenges outlined in the aforementioned statement may, regrettably, be subject to misinterpretation or mismanagement on the part of foster carers, thereby augmenting the probability of occurrences of maltreatment (Jones & Brown, 2021).

Moreover, it is imperative to acknowledge the presence of systemic challenges within the foster care system. These challenges encompass a range of issues, including but not limited to insufficient financial resources, overpopulated foster homes, and a scarcity of competent carers. These factors collectively contribute to the creation of environments that heighten the susceptibility of children to potential maltreatment. In a scholarly investigation conducted by Johnson et al. (2019), it was brought to attention that the implementation of budget cuts and the subsequent resource limitations within foster care agencies have the potential to undermine the quality of care and supervision bestowed upon children, consequently amplifying the susceptibility to maltreatment.

The effects of maltreatment on children in foster care are indeed profound and enduring. The scholarly investigation conducted by Williams and colleagues (2021) has provided empirical evidence that children who have been subjected to maltreatment and subsequently placed in foster care frequently encounter adverse consequences. These repercussions encompass a range of domains, encompassing physical well-being, wherein they are prone to developing health-related issues, as well as psychological afflictions such as depression and anxiety. Furthermore, their educational trajectory is often impeded, leading to academic struggles, and they face obstacles in establishing enduring interpersonal connections. The aforementioned effects have the potential to endure throughout an individual's adult years, exerting influence on a multitude of facets pertaining to their existence and overall state of being.

Within the Oke Eri community, there has been a notable increase in awareness surrounding the matter of maltreatment within the foster care system. This heightened attention is a direct result of numerous documented instances of abuse and neglect that have occurred within the local foster care system. The demographic characteristics of the community, such as elevated poverty rates and restricted availability of social services, serve to intensify the difficulties experienced by foster families and the children under their care. It is of utmost importance to comprehend the precise factors that contribute to maltreatment and the subsequent consequences within this particular context. This understanding is essential in order to devise focused interventions and support services that can effectively tackle these issues.

The maltreatment of children in foster care is a complex and multifaceted issue that is influenced by a variety of factors. These factors include inadequate oversight, the intricate backgrounds of the children involved, and the systemic challenges that exist within the foster care system. The ramifications of maltreatment can have profound and long-lasting effects on the overall well-being of children. The present study endeavours to investigate the underlying causes and subsequent effects of these phenomena within the specific milieu of the Oke Eri community. By doing so, it seeks to offer significant and enlightening perspectives that can contribute to the enhancement of the safety and well-being of children residing in foster care environments.