McLaughlin, Anne-MarieMann-Johnson, Julie2016-05-032016-05-0320162016http://hdl.handle.net/11023/2938Literature suggests that children placed in kinship care achieve positive outcomes. Literature also suggests the experience for kinship caregivers is very different from adoption and foster care; however assessment practice and policy do not reflect these unique elements. Using thematic analysis of secondary qualitative data, this study discusses crucial elements required for kinship care home assessments in Alberta. These elements which influence the practitioner, process, policy, legislation and systemic issues can then be used to inform kinship home assessment practice, policy and legislation. By using secondary data analysis, this study endeavored to honour the voices of people who have already shared their perspectives at public consultations and information gathering events sponsored by the Government of Alberta. An anti-colonizing lens and critical ecological framework ground this research in an approach that is sensitive to the impacts of structural colonization on Indigenous children and families through child welfare practice, policy and legislation.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Social WorkKinship careCaregiver assessmentSecondary qualitative data analysisThematic analysisDecolonizing child welfare practicemaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/25531