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Trials
Published in: Trials 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Study protocol

Evaluating the long-term impact of the Fostering Changes training programme for foster carers in Wales, the Confidence in Care trial: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Authors: Gwenllian Moody, Lucy Brookes-Howell, Rebecca Cannings-John, Sue Channon, Elinor Coulman, Mandy Lau, Alyson Rees, Jonathan Scourfield, Jeremy Segrott, Michael Robling

Published in: Trials | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

The Fostering Changes programme was developed by the Adoption and Fostering National Team at the Maudsley Hospital, South London, in conjunction with King’s College London. It is a 12-week group-based training programme for foster and kin carers, which aims to build positive relationships between carers and children, encourage positive child behaviour and set appropriate limits, through a practical skills-based approach. The programme also aims to improve foster carers’ understanding of the causes of children’s social and emotional difficulties and their confidence in applying this knowledge in various situations.

Methods

This is a pragmatic open-label individually randomised controlled trial, with embedded process evaluation. A total of 237 participants will be recruited from Welsh Local Authorities and Independent Fostering Providers; those allocated to the intervention group will be offered enrolment in the next Fostering Changes programme group at their site. Participants in the control group will be offered the Fostering Changes programme at the end of the follow-up period. Data will be collected at baseline, immediately following the 12 week Fostering Changes intervention, and 12 months from the start of the Fostering Changes programme. The primary outcome measure assesses the extent to which carers feel able to cope with and make positive changes to the lives of their foster children and is measured by the Carer Efficacy Questionnaire at 12 months.

Discussion

The trial will determine whether the Fostering Changes programme, in the long term, can deliver important, significant differences to the way foster carers build positive relationships with their foster children, encourage positive child behaviour and set appropriate limits, compared with usual care.

Trial registration

International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number, ISRCTN19090228. Registered on 11 January 2017.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
Evaluating the long-term impact of the Fostering Changes training programme for foster carers in Wales, the Confidence in Care trial: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors
Gwenllian Moody
Lucy Brookes-Howell
Rebecca Cannings-John
Sue Channon
Elinor Coulman
Mandy Lau
Alyson Rees
Jonathan Scourfield
Jeremy Segrott
Michael Robling
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Trials / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1745-6215
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-017-2424-3

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