Thurtle (2005, p37) reports ‘...what happens in childhood is seen as being influential in adulthood and therefore must be worth exploring’. Using Erikson’s (1995) eight stages of development, age eighteen years Robert would be at the ‘adolescence stage’. Erikson also suggests the way in which people deal with adverse events in their life assists them to ‘negotiate positive outcomes ensuring healthy development’ and would aid Robert’s transition into young adulthood, therefore better equipping him to care for his siblings (Crawford & Walker, 2005, p23, 24). Examining Robert’s own account of his childhood including negative experiences and the way he is able to reflect these responsibly is essential in assessing him in a ‘parent role’ for his siblings. Parents who are unable to do so risk endorsing anxious and ambivalent attachments with their children (Main, 1991).
According to Bowlby & Robertson (1973) Camilla and Daley are likely to be at the ‘detachment phase’ given they have been in the care of the Local Authority for nearly a year and could be experiencing feelings of separation. They are equally reported to have settled in well with their respective foster carers although both frequently express their wishes to be reunited with their family and display a strong attachment to Robert during supervised contact sessions. However, should they be placed in the care of Robert they are more likely to be at fifth sequence of grieving according to Fahlberg (1991, p141) who suggests they would experience ‘…adjustment, reorganisation and resolution’ should their placement with their older brother be successful.
Whilst recognising Robert as an adult, at 18 years old it is important to identify what this means in term of him becoming a relative carer for Camilla and Daley. Undoubtedly there are differences between adults of all ages in terms of their ‘experiences and outlooks’ since the life events and expectations would differ greatly between a young and older adult (Beckett 2007, p135). Although it is widely recognised adults are expected to assume responsibility for themselves as well as others as pointed out in Beckett (2007), there could be a danger Robert would compromise what is left of his adolescence by taking on the responsibility of being a young carer. Erikson (1995) would support this view when examining Roberts’s identity using the stages of adolescence. Robert could be described as having reached ‘identity achievement’ in adolescence through his past experiences and undoubtedly future plans as the role of a young relative carer.
Whilst assessing Robert as a relative carer for Camilla and Daley, it is important to examine the role of male carers. Feminist critiques suggest other family members including older siblings have a significant role in a child’s social development (Howe 1995, p48). This view is further supported by Dunn (1993, p46) through research which examines attachments towards older siblings and suggests they can provide younger siblings with secure attachments together with a ‘…secure base from which to explore’ and would support Robert’s own view of relative carers.
If successful in gaining care of his siblings, Robert would be expected to exert control over the contact his mother Lucy has with her youngest children. Bowlby (1988, p4) recognises mothers ‘...have a strong biological predisposition to interact with their offspring’ and this could apply not only to his siblings but Robert too. As Camilla and Daley have both displayed a ‘secure attachment’ as suggested by Howe (1995, p79) with their mother during supervised contact, this must be recognised and support given for Robert to manage appropriately. It is salient to acknowledge Camilla and Daley may feel responsible for being removed from their mothers care and in order for them to feel secure with Robert, would require additional reassurance and support for them to ‘…make sense of their experiences’ as suggested in Daniel et al (1999, p77).
Attachment theory provides a valuable model in understanding relationships of families in need and promoting new and healthy attachments (Daniel et al 1999). Through this assignment I have explored several theories to assist my understanding of psychological perspectives, and how they are applied in social work in assessing the role of a relative male carer for the purpose of this case study. However as Local Authority’s aim to place children with their families whenever possible, there would appear to be more theories relating to the attachment children have with their parents than with siblings who they already have a positive attachment who wish to pursue the role of a relative carer.
Word Count 1071
References
Beckett, C. (2007) Human Growth and Development. London: Sage Publications Ltd.
Bowlby, J. (1973) in Howe, D. (1995) Attachment Theory for Social Work practice. Hampshire: Palgrave
Clarke & Clarke (2000) in Beckett, C. (2007) Human Growth and Development. London: Sage Publications Ltd.
Crawford, K. Walker, J. (2005) Social Work and Human Development. Exeter: Learning Matters Ltd.
Daniel, B. Wassell, S. & Gilligan, R. (1999) Child Development for Child Care and Protection Workers. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Erikson (1995) in Crawford, K. Walker, J. (2005) Social Work and Human Development. Exeter: Learning Matters Ltd.
Fahlberg, V. 1991 in Howe, D. (1995) Attachment Theory for Social Work Practice. Hampshire: Palgrave
General Social Care Council (G.S.C.C.) (2002) Codes of Practice: for social care workers and employers. London: G.S.C.C.
Howe, D. (1995) Attachment Theory for Social Work practice. Hampshire: Palgrave
Main, M. in Daniel, B. Wassell, S. and Gilligan, R. (1999) Child Development for Child Care and Protection Workers. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Taylor, J. Woods, M., Eds. (2005) Early Childhood Studies: An Holistic Introduction. 2nd ed. London: Edward Arnold Ltd.
Thurtle (2005) in Taylor, J. Woods, M., Eds. (2005) Early Childhood Studies, An Holistic Introduction. 2nd ed. London: Edward Arnold Ltd.
