These protocols summarise plans for a pilot randomised controlled trial of Kinship Connected, a six-month navigator and support programme delivered by the charity Kinship.
Kinship carers frequently face financial pressures, legal challenges, isolation and difficulties accessing support, yet available services can vary considerably by local area. Kinship Connected helps kinship carers access the financial, legal, practical and emotional support through personalised strength based one-to-one support, advocacy, information and signposting, alongside opportunities to build peer and community networks.
To assess whether it is feasible to run a larger-scale trial of this programme and explore its potential benefits for kinship families, we have commissioned the Centre for Evidence and Implementation (CEI) and Ipsos UK to conduct an evaluation of Kinship Connected. The study will recruit 200 kinship carers across four local authorities in England.
The evaluation will include a pilot randomised controlled trial to assess recruitment, retention and data collection processes, and to explore the programme’s impact on carers’ wellbeing, confidence in their caregiving role, and the stability of children’s placements.
Alongside the trial, an implementation and process evaluation and cost evaluation will examine how the programme and experienced by kinship carers and professionals, the resources required for delivery, and what would be needed to scale it more widely across England.
This pilot evaluation is designed to assess the feasibility of a future full-scale RCT, while exploring early indications of promise. The research questions reflect this dual purpose. Feasibility is the primary focus, given that Foundations confirmed in December 2025 that the intervention model is stable and the pilot is intended to test RCT mechanisms and procedures required for a future larger-scale trial and will address these research questions:
The IPE is designed to complement the pilot impact evaluation by generating detailed evidence on how Kinship Connected is delivered within the context of a RCT, how it is experienced by kinship carers and practitioners, and how and for whom it appears to work within the context of the UK children’s social care system. The IPE will be guided by Proctor et al.’s implementation outcomes (Proctor et al., 2011), with a focus on understanding key implementation domains such as acceptability, fidelity, reach, and appropriateness. See the evaluation protocol for the IPE research questions.
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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