Nurses Empowering Foster Carers to Support Infants in Out-of-Home Care
| Thursday, July 24, 2025 |
| 8:00 AM - 8:40 AM |
| Exhibition Hall and Foyer |
Overview
Presenter: Prof. Stacy Blythe
Speaker
Professor Stacy Blythe
Head Of Discipline (nursing)
University Of Technology Sydney
Nurses Empowering Foster Carers to Support Infants in Out-of-Home Care
8:00 AM - 8:40 AMAbstract
Introduction: Infants in out-of-home care (OOHC) face significant health and developmental challenges. Foster/kinship carers often lack adequate training and support. This study highlights the potential for nurses to provide specialised training and support to improve outcomes for infants in OOHC.
Methods: An online survey collected qualitative and quantitative data from authorized foster/kinship carers in Australia who had cared for an infant (<12 months) in the past five years. Valid responses (n=232) were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-squared analysis, and Mann-Whitney U tests.
Results: The study found that 41% of carers received no training in eight key areas of basic infant care. Training rates for essential areas like infant nutrition, feeding, bathing, and sleeping ranged from 15% to 30%. While 75% of carers took infants to community health nurses, only 34% reported home visits from community nurses or midwives. Carers without biological children were more likely to receive training, but rates remained modest. A significant need for infant-specific training was revealed, with 87% of carers indicating they should have received such training before welcoming an infant into their care.
Conclusion: The findings highlight significant gaps in training and support for foster carers of infants in OOHC. Nurses are uniquely positioned to bridge this gap by providing targeted training in basic infant care, attachment, and developmental trauma, empowering carers to provide high-quality, nurturing care. Consistent home visits by nurses and midwives can also provide vital support, improving infant health and well-being and potentially reducing carer attrition. This study advocates for greater involvement of nurses in training and supporting foster carers of infants in OOHC, aligning with the NNF 2025 theme of ‘Courage, Compassion, Connection – Empowering Nurses for the Future’. By addressing the unique challenges of infants in OOHC, the nursing profession can significantly improve outcomes for this vulnerable population.
Methods: An online survey collected qualitative and quantitative data from authorized foster/kinship carers in Australia who had cared for an infant (<12 months) in the past five years. Valid responses (n=232) were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-squared analysis, and Mann-Whitney U tests.
Results: The study found that 41% of carers received no training in eight key areas of basic infant care. Training rates for essential areas like infant nutrition, feeding, bathing, and sleeping ranged from 15% to 30%. While 75% of carers took infants to community health nurses, only 34% reported home visits from community nurses or midwives. Carers without biological children were more likely to receive training, but rates remained modest. A significant need for infant-specific training was revealed, with 87% of carers indicating they should have received such training before welcoming an infant into their care.
Conclusion: The findings highlight significant gaps in training and support for foster carers of infants in OOHC. Nurses are uniquely positioned to bridge this gap by providing targeted training in basic infant care, attachment, and developmental trauma, empowering carers to provide high-quality, nurturing care. Consistent home visits by nurses and midwives can also provide vital support, improving infant health and well-being and potentially reducing carer attrition. This study advocates for greater involvement of nurses in training and supporting foster carers of infants in OOHC, aligning with the NNF 2025 theme of ‘Courage, Compassion, Connection – Empowering Nurses for the Future’. By addressing the unique challenges of infants in OOHC, the nursing profession can significantly improve outcomes for this vulnerable population.
Biography
Professor Stacy Blythe currently serves as the Head of Discipline (Nursing) in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Technology Sydney. A foster carer for 20+ years, her research focuses on the health and well-being of children in out-of-home care and their families (both biological and foster).
