The Care Placements Evaluation (CaPE): evaluation of Multi-dimensional Treatment Foster Care in England (MTFCE)
Researchers: Nina Biehal, Jo Dixon, Elizabeth Sinclair, Ian Sinclair with Jonathan Green (University of Manchester)
Funder: Department for Children, Schools and Families
Duration: December 2004 to July 2010
This project is an evaluation of the model of treatment foster care developed by the Oregon Social Learning Centre in the USA, which is currently being piloted on behalf of the DfES by the Institute of Psychiatry, London.
This evaluation of Multi-dimensional Treatment Foster Care in England (MTFCE) is a collaboration between the universities of York and Manchester. It is being carried out in 18 English local authorities for use with older children with complex needs who are looked after by those authorities.
The study has two components: a small randomised controlled trial embedded within a larger quasi-experimental study.The aim of the project is to compare outcomes for two groups of young people with complex needs aged 10-16:
- Those who enter treatment foster care placements
- Those who enter the other types of placement usually available to this group of young people, including both foster and residential care.
Outcomes for the children are assessed at one-year followup. The primary outcomes of interest are child mental health and general social functioning, but a number of secondary outcomes are also being assessed, including placement stability, behaviour and participation in education.
Presentations and Publications
2012
Multi-dimensional treatment foster care in England. Keynote.
Biehal, N., Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Commissioning Board Practitioner Event, Antrim, Northern Ireland, 21 March 2012.
The Care Placements Evaluation (CaPE) Evaluation of Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care for Adolescents (MTFC-A), 2012
Biehal, N., Dixon, J., Parry, E., Sinclair, I., Green, J., Roberts, C., Kay, C., Rothwell, J., Kapadia, D. and Roby, A. , Research Brief, DFE-RB194, Department for Education.
2011
Implementing evidence-based programmes in the real world: challenges and issues. Invited
Biehal, N., International Association for Outcome-Based Evaluation and Research (IAOBER) 11th International Research Seminar, Fondazione Zancan, Malosco, Italy, 27-28 June 2011.
Randomised controlled trials in children's services: challenges and strategies
Biehal, N., Randomised Controlled Trials on Family Programmes: Experiences from Neighbouring Countries Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark, 31 March 2011.
2010
Findings from the Care Placement Evaluation
Dixon, J., Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care Trial Steering Committee Meeting, Nuffield Foundation, London, 21 July 2010.
2008
CaPE research and treatment foster care presentation
Dixon, J., Gateshead Local Authority Senior Managers Meeting, Gateshead Civic Centre, 10 September 2008.
The care placement evaluation
Dixon, J., Gateshead Children's Services Information Sharing Event, hosted by the Mental Health Research Network, Gateshead Civic Centre, Gateshead, 22 October 2008.
If you require further information about the project, please contact Nina Biehal 
