Factors associated with outcomes for looked-after children and young people: a correlates review of the literature

Abstract

In 2008, the Department of Health made a referral to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and the Social Care Institute for Excellence to develop joint public health guidance on improving the physical and emotional health and well-being of children and young people looked after by the local authority/state. To help inform the decision-making process by identifying potential research questions pertinent to the outcomes of looked-after children and young people (LACYP), a correlates review was undertaken. Iterative searches of health and social science databases were undertaken; searches of reference lists and citation searches were conducted and all included studies were critically appraised. The correlates review is a mapping review conducted using systematic and transparent methodology. Interventions and factors that are associated (or correlated) with outcomes for LACYP were identified and presented as conceptual maps. This review maps the breadth (rather than depth) of the evidence and represents an attempt to use the existing evidence base to map associations between potential risk factors, protective factors, interventions and outcomes for LACYP. Ninety-two studies were included: four systematic reviews, five non-systematic reviews, eight randomized controlled trials, 66 cohort studies and nine cross-sectional studies. The conceptual maps provide an overview of the key relationships addressed in the current literature, in particular, placement stability and emotional and behavioural factors in mediating outcomes. From the maps, there appear to be some key factors that are associated with a range of outcomes, in particular, number of placements, behavioural problems and age at first placement. Placement stability seems to be a key mediator of directional associations. The correlates review identified key areas where sufficient evidence to conduct a systematic review might exist. These were: transition support, training and support for carers and access to services.

The effectiveness of training and support for carers and other professionals on the physical and emotional health and well‐being of looked‐after children and young people: a systematic review

“…Another possible explanation is that increased confidence in the carers as a result of the training may have led to them agreeing to more placements and those involving LACYP that presented a greater challenge, as suggested by the authors (MacDonald & Turner 2005). Finally, because of the close (bidirectional) association between placement stability and behaviour problems (Jones et al . 2010), it is possible that no effects on placement stability were detected due to lack of effectiveness for training on problem behaviours in this one study (MacDonald & Turner 2005).…”

“…This population database was then searched using terms for training and support for carers, professionals and volunteers. The search terms were drawn up by the first four authors, based on papers included in a previous correlates review (Jones et al . 2010) and knowledge of the review area.…”

Adopted children and young people's views on their life storybooks: The role of narrative in the formation of identities

“…Given the ubiquitously reported poor outcomes for children in the care system (Jones et al, 2011), it could be argued that enabling a strong sense of identity is crucial for this population to avoid later mental health and other socio-emotional problems, including poor educational outcomes and offending behaviours which are significantly worse in the English looked after population than the general population (Department for Education, 2013).…”

Young People in, and Transitioning from, Out-of-home Care and their Mental Health Issues: A Call for Evidence

“…Good leaving care preparation, suitable post-care accommodation, social support and life skills are associated with positive wellbeing post-care (Cashmore & Paxman, 2006;Dixon, 2008;Fechter-Leggett & O'Brien, 2010;Jones et al, 2011). However, it remains unclear whether such factors contribute to wellbeing, or if those care leavers experiencing greater wellbeing are more able to access such supports and resources.…”