The Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare (FORTE) has awarded 4 969 000 SEK to ICON members Viviane Schultz Straatmann and Ylva B Almquist, alongside colleagues Hilma Forsman, Marie Berlin, Anders Hjern, and Bo Vinnerljung, for their research project titled “Does GOING HOME truly serve the best interest of children placed in out-of-home care? Patterns of family reunification and its impact on the use of healthcare services in children and young people.”
Led by Viviane Schultz Straatmann, this three-year project aims to address key gaps in our understanding of family reunification for children in out-of-home care (OHC). It will examine how often reunifications occur, the characteristics of these reunifications, and the factors—whether related to the child, family, or the broader system—that influence them. Additionally, the project will investigate how family reunification impacts children’s healthcare utilization, comparing the experiences of reunified children with those who remain in care, as well as with their peers in the general population. The research will draw on a new large-scale register-based cohort of children born between 1999 and 2004, along with data on their siblings and parents.
The project aims to provide insights that improve decision-making regarding family reunifications, ensuring that choices prioritize the well-being of children—whether that involves remaining in OHC or reuniting with their families. Furthermore, the research will contribute to discussions on strengthening legislation and children’s rights in OHC.
Project members
Viviane Schultz Straatmann | Stockholm University (PI)
Ylva B Almquist | Stockholm University
Hilma Forsman | Stockholm University
Marie Berlin | Stockholm University
Anders Hjern | Stockholm University & Karolinska Institutet
Bo Vinnerljung | Stockholm University