The reflective fostering programme: evaluating the intervention co-delivered by social work professionals and foster carers

Abstract

Purpose There is little evidence regarding how to best support the emotional well-being of children in foster care. This paper aims to present the evaluation of an adaptation of the reflective fostering programme, a group-based programme to support foster carers. This study aimed to explore whether a version of the programme, co-delivered by a social work professional and an experienced foster carer, was acceptable and relevant to foster carers and to gather data on programme effectiveness. Design/methodology/approach In total, 38 foster carers attended the programme and took part in this study. Data was collected regarding carer- and child-focused outcomes at pre-intervention, post-intervention and four-month follow-up. Focus interviews were also conducted to further assess acceptability and relevance for foster carers. Findings Analysis of quantitative outcome showed statistically significant improvements in all outcomes considered including foster carers stress and carer-defined problems, as well as carer-reported measures of child difficulties. Focus group interviews with foster carers suggested that the programme as co-delivered by a foster carer and a social worker was felt to be relevant and helpful to foster carers. Originality/value These results provide a unique contribution to limited understandings of what works for supporting foster carers and the children in their care. Promising evidence is provided for the acceptability and relevance of the revised version of this novel support programme and its effectiveness in terms of carer- and child-related outcome measures. This work paves the way for further necessary impact evaluation.

The Reflective Fostering Programme fidelity rating scale: development and inter-rater reliability

“…Although there are a number of promising programmes which have been adapted or developed specifically for foster carers, to date there is a lack of strong evidence for their effectiveness in the UK (NICE, 2021). The RFP is one such intervention which has shown promising results in two feasibility and pilot evaluation studies (Midgley et al, 2019(Midgley et al, , 2021a(Midgley et al, , 2021b, and is currently being evaluated as part of a large-scale randomised controlled trial (Midgley et al, 2021a). For the findings of such trials to be meaningful, it is essential to have a reliable method of assessing whether the intervention has been delivered in a way that can be considered "on model".…”

“…The data used in this study were collected as part of a pilot evaluation of the reflective fostering study (for full details, Midgley et al , 2021b). The study was approved by UCL Ethics Committee (Approval ID Number: 14653/001).…”

“…Video recordings of programme sessions were taken as part of the second pilot of the RFP (Midgley et al, 2021a(Midgley et al, , 2021b. The video recordings were made on tablets by facilitators during all programme sessions, except where technological issues prevented this.…”

“…The development and validation of the RFFR is an important step towards evaluating the RFP. If proved to be an effective intervention in a randomised clinical trial currently underway (Midgley et al, 2021a(Midgley et al, , 2021b, it is anticipated that the RFP will be established as a professional qualification in which social care workers and foster carers can become accredited Facilitators. Therefore, it is vital to ensure that the programme is being delivered in a consistent and standardised way which reflects the aims and key components of the intervention.…”

“…Results from this study showed a significant reduction in parenting stress (parenting stress index, short form; Abidin, 1995) and child difficulties (strengths and difficulties questionnaire; Goodman and Goodman, 2012) following the completion of the programme. A further pilot evaluation of the programme has since been completed with comparable outcomes to the initial feasibility study (Midgley et al , 2021b) and a large-scale randomized control trial of the programme is currently underway in the UK (Midgley et al , 2021a) .…”