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Published in: Trials 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research

Challenges to undertaking randomised trials with looked after children in social care settings

Authors: Gillian Mezey, Fiona Robinson, Rona Campbell, Steve Gillard, Geraldine Macdonald, Deborah Meyer, Chris Bonell, Sarah White

Published in: Trials | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are widely viewed as the gold standard for assessing effectiveness in health research; however many researchers and practitioners believe that RCTs are inappropriate and un-doable in social care settings, particularly in relation to looked after children. The aim of this article is to describe the challenges faced in conducting a pilot study and phase II RCT of a peer mentoring intervention to reduce teenage pregnancy in looked after children in a social care setting.

Methods

Interviews were undertaken with social care professionals and looked after children, and a survey conducted with looked after children, to establish the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention and research design.

Results

Barriers to recruitment and in managing the intervention were identified, including social workers acting as informal gatekeepers; social workers concerns and misconceptions about the recruitment criteria and the need for and purpose of randomisation; resource limitations, which made it difficult to prioritise research over other demands on their time and difficulties in engaging and retaining looked after children in the study.

Conclusions

The relative absence of a research infrastructure and culture in social care and the lack of research support funding available for social care agencies, compared to health organisations, has implications for increasing evidence-based practice in social care settings, particularly in this very vulnerable group of young people.
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Metadata
Title
Challenges to undertaking randomised trials with looked after children in social care settings
Authors
Gillian Mezey
Fiona Robinson
Rona Campbell
Steve Gillard
Geraldine Macdonald
Deborah Meyer
Chris Bonell
Sarah White
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Trials / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1745-6215
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-015-0708-z

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