looked after children

At a glance 58: therapeutic approaches to social work in residential child care settings

Following a regional review of residential child care in 2007, the five health and social care trusts in Northern Ireland have introduced ‘therapeutic approaches’ in a number of children’s homes, and in the regional secure units, with the aim of improving staff skills and outcomes for young people. This At a glance briefing summarises an evaluation of the approaches conducted between May 2010 and February 2012. The full details can be found in SCIE Report 58 (Macdonald et al, 2012). Summary published by Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) in May 2012.

SCIE report 58: therapeutic approaches to social work in residential child care settings

Children and young people in care are some of the most vulnerable in society. A small but significant proportion of looked-after children across the UK are cared for in residential settings such as children's homes. Following a regional review of residential child care in 2007, the five health and social Care (HSC) Trusts in Northern Ireland introduced 'therapeutic approaches' in a number of children's homes and in the regional secure units. This report gives the results of an evaluation of these approaches. Report published by Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) in May 2012.

Open doors, open minds: is the care system helping looked-after children progress into further and higher education?

Policy report that considers how, despite significant improvements in legislation and statutory guidance, culture and practice across the care system does not consistently support high levels of achievement in education for young people in and from care.

Open Doors, Open Minds was a project run by The Who Cares? Trust in 2011/12 which explored the barriers that prevent young people in and from care pursuing and completing courses of study in further and higher education.

The care placements evaluation (CaPE) evaluation of Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care for Adolescents (MTFC-A)

Study that evaluated the effectiveness of Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care for Adolescents (MTFCA), an innovative, evidence-based form of fostering for looked after children (age 11-16 years) with complex needs.

MTFC-A was implemented by 18 English local authorities, using pump-priming money from the former Department for Children, Schools and Families and supported by an implementation team at the Institute of Psychiatry.

Children in care

As part of the NSPCC's strategy to improve outcomes for those children who are most at risk, it will be delivering innovative services that seek to capture learning about what works to keep looked after children safe from harm.

This web resource provides information on the looked after children, why looked after children are at risk, safeguarding concerns, as well as further resources, news and statistics.