Corporate Parenting for young people in care - Making the difference?
This Big Lottery funded project will examine the impact of corporate parenting policy and practice on the experience and outcomes for children in and leaving care from the unique perspective of young people themselves. Corporate parenting is founded on the principle that a local authority should offer the kind of support that any good parents would provide for their own children. Despite the legislative duties to support young people and the theoretical framework of corporate parenting, young people from care tend to have poorer outcomes than their peers and are over-represented in indicators of social exclusion. This study will address a gap in our knowledge by examining, over a period of time, how the concept of corporate parenting is delivered to children in care, what works and how it can be improved.
Research questions
- What are the experiences and outcomes for children in and leaving care over time, and how do these compare within different groups of children in care and to their non-care peers?
- What are the factors in young people's experience which tend to be protective or create risk in transition?
- How are Local authorities developing their services in line with the principles of corporate parenting and in response to the changing national policy context and what are the features that lead to successful corporate parenting?
Method
The 4 year study will describe the experiences and outcomes of children in and from care. It will help decision-makers to strengthen protective factors that can buffer young people from problem behaviours, promote positive youth development and reduce risk factors.
The project directly involves care experienced young people in the research study. The peer researchers will gain specific skills and experience, enhancing their confidence and employability.
The study will involve face to face interviews with young people; interviews with Directors of Children’s services; focus groups and secondary analysis of statistical outcome data.
The project is due to start in Spring 2010.
Contact ncas@catch-22.org.uk for more information
Read our press release (December 2009)