Permanency Outcomes for Children in Congregate Care

Background and Purpose:

Youth placed in congregate care settings face significant challenges in achieving legal and relational permanency. These settings—often characterized by high staff turnover, limited family involvement, and disrupted caregiving relationships—impede the formation of secure attachments that are critical for long-term stability. This study examines the role of attachment and systemic factors in permanency outcomes for children, with particular attention to demographic characteristics, mental health, and the challenges social workers encounter in facilitating permanent placements. The guiding research questions explore what differentiates youth who achieve permanency, how attachment disruptions affect outcomes, and what barriers hinder social workers in securing permanency.

Methods:

This study was guided by Attachment Theory and Systems Theory, providing a framework to understand how relational bonds and systemic structures affect permanency outcomes. A mixed-methods approach was used. Quantitative data were collected from agency records (N = 35; mean age = 15.49; range = 12–18) involving youth placed in congregate care over a two-year period. Variables included age, gender, race/ethnicity, placement history, mental health diagnoses, and permanency outcomes. Data were analyzed using SPSS, with multiple regression analysis identifying predictors of permanency. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with nine child welfare social workers directly involved in permanency planning for youth in congregate care. A thematic analysis was conducted to extract key themes from the interviews.

Results:

Quantitative analysis showed that age was the only statistically significant predictor of permanency (B = -0.34, p = .03), with older youth being less likely to achieve permanency. Other variables, including mental health diagnoses and gender, were not statistically significant. Qualitative findings revealed several recurring themes: systemic barriers such as placement shortages, staff turnover, and peer influences within congregate care; challenges in maintaining consistent relationships; and difficulties finding caregivers willing to commit to youth with complex needs. A central theme was the impact of disrupted attachments and the limited availability of long-term relational supports, which contributed to repeated placement disruptions and hindered permanency.

Conclusions and Implications:

Attachment disruptions and age-related disparities significantly impact permanency outcomes. Findings emphasize the need for trauma-informed, attachment-focused interventions that prioritize relationship-building and sustained adult connections. Policy recommendations include strengthening kinship placement efforts, expanding relational engagement programs like CASA, and increasing investment in foster caregiver recruitment and retention. Implications for social work practice include enhancing family engagement tools, such as family finding, and improving agency capacity to utilize these tools effectively. Continuity in mental health care, often disrupted by provider turnover, must be addressed to support treatment consistency and permanency. Incorporating family therapy into foster family dynamics may also help reduce placement disruptions. Strengthening partnerships between child welfare and mental health systems and closing service gaps are critical for improving emotional well-being and long-term outcomes. Additionally, exploring the use of genealogy in family finding—while ensuring ethical safeguards and informed consent—may support cultural continuity and permanency opportunities. Addressing both systemic and relational barriers is essential for improving outcomes for this vulnerable population