Experience of parents in 'The Village' an online support network for care-experienced parents: a thematic analysis

Becoming a parent is a time of major shifts in identity and social relationships. A strong social network is crucial for positive parent and child outcomes, but for care-experienced parents, this network is likely to be reduced due to the care system itself putting them at a disadvantage when transi...

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Main Author: Sydney Guinchard
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: CELCIS 2024-11-01
Series:Scottish Journal of Residential Child Care
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author Sydney Guinchard
author_facet Sydney Guinchard
author_sort Sydney Guinchard
collection DOAJ
description Becoming a parent is a time of major shifts in identity and social relationships. A strong social network is crucial for positive parent and child outcomes, but for care-experienced parents, this network is likely to be reduced due to the care system itself putting them at a disadvantage when transitioning to parenthood. Research typically focuses on the negative outcomes for care-experienced parents, but little attention is given to those for whom parenting is a positive and transformational experience if provided with proper support. This article discusses barriers to care experienced parents accessing support and the rationale behind 'The Village,' an online community for care experienced parents in Scotland that offers emotional, parenting, practical, and social support. Twenty-two care experienced parents supported by The Village shared their experiences of being part of The Village and the impact this has had on their wellbeing and parenting. A thematic analysis identified benefits across the following key themes: relationships, parenting, and entitlements. Suggestions for improvement and future directions are also discussed.
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series Scottish Journal of Residential Child Care
spelling doaj-art-2e90d4acb03147e6810a1e5f0f578e192025-08-20T02:30:43ZengCELCISScottish Journal of Residential Child Care2976-93532024-11-0123262010.17868/strath.00091002Experience of parents in 'The Village' an online support network for care-experienced parents: a thematic analysisSydney GuinchardBecoming a parent is a time of major shifts in identity and social relationships. A strong social network is crucial for positive parent and child outcomes, but for care-experienced parents, this network is likely to be reduced due to the care system itself putting them at a disadvantage when transitioning to parenthood. Research typically focuses on the negative outcomes for care-experienced parents, but little attention is given to those for whom parenting is a positive and transformational experience if provided with proper support. This article discusses barriers to care experienced parents accessing support and the rationale behind 'The Village,' an online community for care experienced parents in Scotland that offers emotional, parenting, practical, and social support. Twenty-two care experienced parents supported by The Village shared their experiences of being part of The Village and the impact this has had on their wellbeing and parenting. A thematic analysis identified benefits across the following key themes: relationships, parenting, and entitlements. Suggestions for improvement and future directions are also discussed. online support networkcareerscarer supportcare experiencesocial networksparenting
spellingShingle Sydney Guinchard
Experience of parents in 'The Village' an online support network for care-experienced parents: a thematic analysis
Scottish Journal of Residential Child Care
online support network
careers
carer support
care experience
social networks
parenting
title Experience of parents in 'The Village' an online support network for care-experienced parents: a thematic analysis
title_full Experience of parents in 'The Village' an online support network for care-experienced parents: a thematic analysis
title_fullStr Experience of parents in 'The Village' an online support network for care-experienced parents: a thematic analysis
title_full_unstemmed Experience of parents in 'The Village' an online support network for care-experienced parents: a thematic analysis
title_short Experience of parents in 'The Village' an online support network for care-experienced parents: a thematic analysis
title_sort experience of parents in the village an online support network for care experienced parents a thematic analysis
topic online support network
careers
carer support
care experience
social networks
parenting
work_keys_str_mv AT sydneyguinchard experienceofparentsinthevillageanonlinesupportnetworkforcareexperiencedparentsathematicanalysis