This project has now been completed. The linked publication can be viewed here:
This protocol summarises plans for a systematic review of policies, programmes, and interventions that aim to improve outcomes for kinship carers and their children.
Within the UK, an increasing number of children are being placed in kinship care arrangements, where a child lives with a relative or close family friend, usually because their parents are not able to care for them. While there is some promising evidence that existing interventions may improve outcomes for children and carers, there are still gaps in the evidence base, particularly regarding the range of outcomes reported and specific geographical regions or demographics.
We have commissioned the Centre for Evidence and Implementation (CEI) to conduct a systematic review, with the purpose of identifying promising and effective policies, programmes and interventions. The review will include children and young people aged 0-21, or their carers, who are in formal or informal kinship care in high-income countries.
The quantitative aspect of the review will look at interventions which aim to improve outcomes for children who are in kinship care arrangements due to child maltreatment, neglect or risk of child maltreatment, relinquishment, or lack of provision of support. For this aspect of the review, the outcomes of interest are safety, permanence, wellbeing and educational attainment.
The qualitative review will include the voices of kinship carers, kinship-experienced children and young people or professionals working in kinship care in the UK, looking at the acceptability of interventions, and barriers and enablers to successful implementation.
The systematic review will comprise of both a quantitative (RQ1-3) and a qualitative review (RQ 4-5).
Rated 1: Set up and delivery is low cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of less than £100.
Rated 2: Set up and delivery is medium-low cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of £100–£499.
Rated 3: Set up and delivery is medium cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of £500–£999.
Rated 4: Set up and delivery is medium-high cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of £1,000–£2,000.
Rating 5: Set up and delivery is high cost. Equivalent to an estimated unit cost of more than £2,000.
Set up and delivery cost is not applicable, not available, or has not been calculated.
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Supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing child maltreatment: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Enhancing school achievement & employment: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing crime, violence and antisocial behaviour: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing substance abuse: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing risky sexual behaviour & teen pregnancy: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing obesity and promoting healthy physical development: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Rated 2: Has preliminary evidence of improving a child outcome from a quantitative impact study, but there is not yet evidence of causal impact.
Rated 2+: Meets the level 2 rating and the best available evidence is based on a study which is more rigorous than a level 2 standard but does not meet the level 3 standard.
Rated 3: Has evidence of a short-term positive impact from at least one rigorous study.
Rated 3+: Meets the level 3 rating and has evidence from other studies with a comparison group at level 2 or higher.
Rated 4: Has evidence of a long-term positive impact through at least two rigorous studies.
Rated 4+: Meets the level 4 rating and has at least a third study contributing to the Level 4 rating, with at least one of the studies conducted independently of the intervention provider.
Rating has a *: The evidence base includes mixed findings i.e., studies suggesting positive impact alongside studies, which on balance, indicate no effect or negative impact.
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