Report: Outcomes for maltreated children following care proceedings

This is the first report from a study of outcomes for 114 children from 49 families assessed in an expert multi-disciplinary service during care proceedings.

The study investigated the extent of children’s adaptation following judicial decisions made in the proceedings and what factors might be involved in changes in the children’s adaptation and well-being.

It also aimed to investigate the reliability of the expert placement and treatment recommendations made to the court. The study found that children’s well-being significantly improved by an average of +6.7 points between initial assessment  and follow-up.

Children whose global adjustment scores were clinically concerning at the time of assessment hardly improved their scores (.44), compared to children whose global adjustment scores were within the normal range at the time of assessment. Interestingly, the majority (88%) of expert placement recommendations had been accepted and implemented.

However, less than 50% of the children and only 30% of parents received the support and treatment recommended in the experts’ reports in the proceedings. The implications for both policy and practice in working with children and their families during and after care proceedings are explored.

Author(s): Mulcahy, Gerry; Badger, Julia; Wright, Hannah
Series: Adoption and Fostering
Year: 2014
ISSN: 1740-469X
Volume: vol. 38
Pages: p. 314-330