Evidence Review: Childhood neglect and abuse – comparing placement options

The initial impetus for the commissioning of this evidence review was a commitment set out in ‘Adoption: A vision for change (2016)’ to produce ‘an independent summary of relevant research evidence for use by local authority managers, social workers and judges which focuses  on comparative outcomes of different placement options’.

The government made this commitment in response to several factors, including the increase in the number of children entering the care system, shifts in patterns of decision making and the ongoing aim to ensure that factors known to be crucial to children’s outcomes are considered when placement decisions are made.

The review is intended to help decision makers (including Cafcass guardians) reflect on the needs of children who have been abused or neglected and understand how different placement types may address particular needs.

The authors (Research in Practice) hope that the work undertaken (between October 2016 and January 2017) provides a useful summary document that will support the complex series of decisions that lead to placements that are stable and positive for the children and young people concerned.

To download the Review, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/childhood-neglect-and-abuse-comparing-placement-options