Children's wellbeing in care: Evidence from a longitudinal study of outcomes

This paper reports research on outcomes of long term foster care from an eight year longitudinal study of foster care placements. Using a prospective, repeated measures design and a multi-informant approach, the outcomes of 59 children were assessed at two yearly intervals as they progressed in placements. Data from personal interviews with children over 8 years and all caseworkers highlight outcomes in the spheres of family and social relationships and emotional and behavioural development highlighting the factors and constraints impinging on outcomes. Overall findings from the study indicate that alongside concerns related to placement stability, academic achievement and emotional and behavioural development, children and young people in this sample displayed positive outcomes in domains such as family and social relationships and pro-social behaviours as they progressed over time in their care placements. Intervention strategies to promote resilient outcomes and facilitate children's care experience are discussed outlining implications for evidence based ‘best practice’ and directions for outcome-based research with children in foster care.