Individual research recommendation details

Recommendation ID

NG26/4

Question

Interventions in a school setting:- Assess the clinical and cost effectiveness of an attachment-based intervention delivered in a school setting for children and young people on the edge of care, in the care system or adopted.

Any explanatory notes
(if applicable)

Why this is important:- Providing an attachment-based intervention in a school setting is important for 3 reasons: teachers may be the first to identify some of the broader problems associated with attachment difficulties in children and young people; school may be one of the only stable environments for children and young people moving in and out of care; and school may provide a safe environment for the child or young person to take part in a therapeutic intervention.
The majority of the evidence to date has been collected in non-UK settings that have different healthcare systems and types of care provided, therefore it is important that more studies are carried out in a relevant UK setting. In addition, evidence on young people is limited, therefore age-appropriate interventions targeting attachment difficulties in this age group are needed.
A randomised controlled trial should be carried out to assess the clinical and cost effectiveness of an attachment-based intervention that can be delivered in a school setting for children and young people on the edge of care, in the care system or adopted, and for the wide range of children in schools who may have attachment difficulties. The intervention should be deliverable by teachers within the school setting, and not disrupt the delivery of the curriculum. It should focus on improving the functioning of children and young people with attachment difficulties within the school setting, as well as more widely, and increasing the skills of teachers to meet the children and young people's needs.
Primary outcome measures may include:
- attachment
- teacher sensitivity
- placement disruption
- educational performance
- behavioural problems.
There should be at least a 6-month to 1-year follow-up. Qualitative data may also be collected on the child or young person's experience of the intervention.

Source guidance details

Comes from guidance

Children’s attachment: attachment in children and young people who are adopted from care, in care or at high risk of going into care

Number

NG26

Date issued

November 2015

Other details