Keywords
and
youth
welfare
out-of-home
care
reasons
for
transitioning
from
family
risk
factors
endangerment
Abstract
The paper presents the results of a research study analysing reasons for out-of-home care of children and adolescents in two Styrian districts Graz-Umgebung and Liezen as well as the course of completed placements (return, termination, and transitions). In the multi-method research project, in addition to a survey study of parents (n = 176) from the two districts, a document analysis of 259 current case files on the reasons and of 147 completed cases from the years 2016–2018 on the trajectories was evaluated. In addition, interviews with social workers or professionals, interviews with four parents and four adolescents with out-of-home care experience, as well as group discussions with professionals from the psychological service were conducted. Meta-reasons and primary and secondary reasons could be differentiated. These reasons were documented heterogeneously in the records. The results are significant for planning considerations, quality assurance, and preventive aspects.