Research Library

This study explored foster and kinship carers’ experiences of the Reflective Fostering Programme. Most found it improved relationships and stress management, though some were unsure of its relevance, suggesting a need for better tailoring.

This review found foster care research often underrepresents groups such as kinship and non-White carers and rarely addresses inclusivity, calling for more representative, inclusive research practices.

This paper shares reflections from four researchers in a co-produced foster care study, highlighting the value of safe, inclusive research spaces and offering practical recommendations for future co-production projects.

This study tested a new programme to support the mental health of children in care by training foster carers and teachers to work together. While the approach was acceptable to participants, the trial was not feasible due to low recruitment and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study examines the relationship between levels of dissociation, several pre-placement factors and other background variables to facilitate the understanding of the high prevalence of dissociation in adolescents living in care.

A book chapter on attachment theory in looked-after children examining needs, challenges and evidence.

This study assessed attachment representations in 28 Danish foster children (ages 4–10) using the Story Stem Assessment Profile (SSAP). Participants were enrolled in a trial comparing Mentalization-Based Family Therapy (MBT) to Care as Usual (CAU).

This paper explores the manifestations and correlates of dissociation amongst a sample of primary school-aged children looked-after children (LAC) in the care of their local authority. The first part looked at CDC, SDQ and RPQ scores across 91 children. The second part looks at the relationship between dissociation and attachment using the story stems.

The present study aims to illustrate the process of developing, implementing, and clinically validating a new assessment measure, the Trauma and Adverse Life Events (TALE) screening tool, to assess Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) among looked-after children.