"Toni Single & the Compulsive Carer Syndrome"
- Details
- Category: Uncategorised
- Created: Monday, 19 January 2009 23:30
- Written by Dr Robert N Moles
Compulsive care-giving is a little-known syndrome that is rarely diagnosed in foster parents, according to psychologists. The Australian yesterday reported the case of a woman whose three foster children were removed from her care after a psychologist, Toni Single, decided the woman showed signs of being a "compulsive carer". Ms Single has defined "compulsive carers" as those who are "greedy" for disabled children; who enjoy taking care of these children because it makes them feel better about themselves. But disability activists said the "syndrome" sounded bogus. "Mother Teresa must be a compulsive carer," said Mary Lou Carter, of the Carers Alliance. "You could say it about anybody who puts the needs of others ahead of themselves."
The three children, two of whom had been in the care of the foster mother for up to six years, are now living in a "facility" for the severely disabled. The foster mother, who cannot be named, is fighting to have them returned. There will be a hearing on the matter on January 28.
NSW Community Services Minister Linda Burney is aware of the case. In a statement yesterday, she said "there is considerable literature on compulsive care-giving which dates back to 1970".
"The literature suggests that compulsive care-giving can result in a negative experience for both the child and the carer. "There is also recognition that this can be a particular issue when placing children with a disability in care. "However, I must say that the vast majority of carers that I have met are completely committed to the role for the right reasons."
Freda Briggs, from the University of South Australia, said she had "never heard" of this syndrome in foster parents. "To me, it sounds like the woman was advocating on behalf of the children and they decided she was a nuisance," Professor Briggs said. "That happens quite often to foster carers: if you are middle class, if you are intelligent, if you speak up for yourself, they (welfare workers) want to put you in your place."
The president of the Foster Care Association, Denise Crisp, said she had spoken to the foster mother "and to me, she seems completely normal. She obviously gets a lot out of it (fostering) and she finds it rewarding, and it's not like anybody is saying she harmed the children." The children were removed from the woman's care by the agency that employs her, Life Without Barriers. The company, which provides foster services to the NSW Government on a fee-for-service basis, did not return calls from The Australian.
Marie O'Neill, a psychologist in South Australia, said she had heard the term "compulsive carer" applied to a foster parent only once, many years ago. "I can't see why it would be a problem," Dr O'Neill said. "If the children are getting proper care, if somebody is looking after them and deriving a great deal of satisfaction from the work, what does it matter?" (Source : http://netk.net.au/AbuseCases/Abuse95.asp)
