Other Publication
Stability and wellbeing in care: what makes the difference?Sinclair, I.
2008
Care Matters: Transforming Lives - Improving Outcomes Conference, 7-9 July 2008, Keble College, Oxford, UK: Digest of Papers
pp. 64-66
Abstract
Draws on a study of 7,399 children looked after at any point in a given year by 13 local authorities. The study used administrative records, questionnaires to social workers and team leaders, case studies and qualitative interviews to examine three questions: What kinds of children are looked after? How and why do they move into, out of and within the care system? How far do their chances of stability and wellbeing depend on a) their own characteristics and b) the particular placements, social work teams or councils they happen to have?Official policy tends to assume that all children 'in care' need stability, that this is closely linked to their wellbeing and that both can be brought about by good organisation. The study provided a chance to examine these assumptions. More generally, it allowed us to describe the care system and explore what made a difference to the children's care careers and their outcomes.
