Systematic review of interventions to support reunification & associated outcomes

Reunification refers to the return of children to their birth parents following a period in out-of-home care. It plays a critical role in achieving permanence for children, but gaps remain in the evidence base regarding effective practice and the contextual and demographic factors that influence effectiveness.

Foundations has commissioned the National Children’s Bureau to conduct a systematic review which aims to identify and describe:

• Interventions which have been shown to be effective in supporting reunification and achieving long-term permanence in children aged 0-18 who have experienced time in out-of-home care.
• Practice elements that are shared by effective interventions and observed to contribute to intervention effectiveness, covering both content and delivery characteristics
• Evidence about for whom, and in which contexts, circumstances and combinations the identified interventions and practices have the highest likelihood of being effective
• Information relevant for the successful implementation of interventions, practices and programmes within the UK context.

The review will focus on Children aged 0–18 years old who are returning home from care. All efficacy-based studies will be either randomised controlled trials or quasi-experimental design. Outcomes of interest include child safety, child wellbeing, family relationships, and parental wellbeing.

Included literature is not restricted by country, however, the review will place importance on the applicability of findings to the UK context, particularly in relation to whether interventions can be implemented in the UK.

Taking into account equality, diversity, inclusion and equity (EDIE) is crucial in this systematic review. To achieve this, evidence will be mapped and coded using PROGRESS-Plus as well as following guidelines set out by PRISMA-E.