To facilitate an outcome where children and young people who are recovering from a tough start to life can develop secure attachment relationships, a secure attachment style, and approach life and relationships under the influence of secure attachment representations, there needs to be parallel endeavour to repair the child or young person’s attachment to their birth parents.
This is why contact with birth parents is so important in outcomes for children and young people who reside in out of home care. If we neglect these important and influential attachment relationships all endeavours to support attachment security are compromised and the child or young person is at risk of a lifetime of low self-worth, self-devaluing decision-making, and failed relationships.
Reflection:
- In what ways does the contact that occurs between the children and young people you work with or care for and their birth parents impact their approach to life and relationships?
- What needs to happen to support birth parent contact having a positive impact on the child or young person’s attachment style and approach to life and relationships?
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