Kaleidoscope Identity; Listening to children’s stories of their time in foster care

There are currently over 6,000 children in alternative care in Ireland and over 90% of these are living with foster carers (Tusla, 2016). Many of these have experienced multiple placements which can result in a change of school, neighbourhood and family environment. There is a paucity of child-centred research which focuses on the interactions and relationships that form within the social worlds of children in foster care. The aim of this study is to give voice to children and young people in foster care in Ireland in relation to their experiences across home, school and community. Drawing theoretically on symbolic interactionism and methodologically on narrative inquiry and photo voice methodologies, the research seeks to examine processes of identity formation among children and young people in foster care, their participation and agency and social interactions, in diverse spatial contexts. Although in its early stages, the researcher proposes to include and explore the narratives of twenty young people currently in care in the South East of Ireland. In addition, it is envisaged that the voice of care leavers will also be explored to gain a retrospective understanding of how they feel their identity was shaped through experiences in care. This paper outlines the theoretical and methodological framing of the study in light of other research internationally in this area.