Re: Request for information on ASFA "Suitability Studies"

[Adam Tomison <adamt@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I am not familiar with the U.S. 'suitability study' concept, but would
like to know more if possible.  A colleague working in child protection
'down under' recently raised the issue of placing children (where
maltreatment is substantiated) with grandparents, given that it is
likely in a proportion of cases that the maltreating parent will
themselves have been maltreated by their own parent.  Thus, without due
care in assessing the carers there is potential for intergenerational
maltreatment across two generations at the hands of a maltreating grandparent.

Any literature or comment on this issue would be gratefully received.

Kind regards,


Adam Tomison

_______________________________________
Adam Tomison
Research Advisor/Senior Research Fellow
National Child Protection Clearinghouse
Australian Institute of Family Studies
300 Queen St
Melbourne, VIC, 3000
AUSTRALIA

Ph: +61 3 9214 7821
Fax: +61 3 9214 7839
Email: adamt@aifs.org.au 
Internet: www.aifs.org.au 
List owner: childprotect@aifs.org.au


SCHOCKNER Leslie wrote:
> 
> Our management staff have requested to get feedback on how other states are
> addressing the ASFA requirement for "Suitability Studies" for placing a child
> with a relative.  Has this changed your practice any?  Who do you do a
> suitability study on for a given child - one or multiple relatives?  What is
> your process for determining the need for a suitability study?  And for who
> gets studied?  Are all suitability studies discoverable to the child's
> parents?  Only the study for the relative selected?  What is the process or
> who makes the decision to request the study, and at what point in the case?
> Any and all information would be gratefully received.  Thanks much.
> 
>