Why Is It Important To Understand Children's Behaviour In Foster Care

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The children who are placed in Foster Care may have experienced significant trauma as well as multiple rejections and exclusion in their lives. Some may have experienced abuse and harm at various levels and consequently will display behaviours which aim to test boundaries. These may include:
• Withdrawn/depressed mood
• Lack of understanding regarding consequences
• Physical aggression towards others or animals
• Sexually acting out
• Anger
• Lack of impulse control
• Difficulty connecting with others
• Property destruction
• Emotional sensitivity
• Harming themselves
Because many of these children did not have a comforting, loving or secure environment, they can often appear lost, distrustful and angry. These children are not “bad” or “damaged” as they are often labelled. Instead, they are simply having a normal reaction to the negative past experiences in their lives. Because of this, it is therefore important to have a clear understanding of the child’s history in order to better understand the presenting behaviours. By gaining an understanding of the child’s experiences, the foster parent will be more competent and better able to work with the child in a calm and therapeutic manner. The good news is that these children can change with the security, warmth and structure they can receive from the environment provided in a foster home.
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These were designed to promote positive behaviours and relationships and to ensure that foster families create and maintain a safe environment in which to care for children.
The rationale that underpins this document is that: o Many children initially use challenging behaviours as a means of communication. o Many children do not have an ability to understand the cause and effect of challenging behaviour on