The project was led by a team of researchers from the University of Stirling and examined children’s progression once they had been put into care.
Permanently Progress? Building secure futures for children in Scotland is an incredibly impressive piece of work. Delivered by experts from the University of Stirling and in partnership with Lancaster University and the Association for Fostering, the study has been named Research Project of the Year.
Image: the team behind the study winning their award.
What’s more, the social scientist behind the research won a Herald Higher Education Award during an awards ceremony that took place in Glasgow last week.
In a nutshell, the study analysed how well 1,836 children, aged five and under, were looked after in Scotland after they had been placed into care during 2012-13. The team tracked their progress from infant to adult.
The latest phase of the three-year study found it took on average, more than two years to find children a permanent home, and that over one in 10 were in temporary placements 10 years after entering the care system.
Upsettingly, the researchers also discovered 91% of children had experienced maltreatment before being taken into care and that the proportion of children with emotional and behavioural problems, as reported by caregivers, was five times higher than that seen in the general population of children in the country.
These findings, while unsettling, have since gained widespread media coverage and a mention in Scottish Parliament, signalling change could happen.
‘We are thrilled that Permanently Progressing has been awarded Research Project of the Year,’ Dr Helen Whincup, senior lecturer in social work at the University of Stirling, said. ‘Massive thanks to everyone who has participated in this powerful longitudinal study. Thank you also to our funders The Nuffield Foundation and the donor who wishes to remain anonymous.
‘The award recognises the huge impact this research is having on practice and policy, improving the lives of care experienced children and young people.’
The full study can be accessed here.
Image from the University of Stirling
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