Evidence Store

Below you’ll see a dashboard view of the interventions we’ve reviewed so far, including at-a-glance ratings for overall effectiveness and strength of evidence. You can click through for more detail, including how the intervention works, who it’s for and where it’s been studied.

We’ve included some implementation details and some relevant UK contacts and case studies where we can.

List of interventions

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The intervention
Outcome
Overall
effectiveness

This rating shows how effective the intervention is at achieving the evaluated outcome.

Click here for information about how effectiveness ratings are applied.

Strength of
evidence

This rating shows how confident we can be about a finding, based on how the research was designed and carried out.

  • Study Review

    Achieving Permanence for Disabled Children

    Achieving permanence for disabled children with specific focus on fostering and adoption placements

    Outcome Reunification
    Overall effectiveness : -2 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 0 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Placement disruption
    Overall effectiveness : -1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 0 (maximum 3)
  • Study Review

    Child mental illness prevention

    Interventions for children whose parents have mental health problems, to help prevent them from experiencing problems themselves

    Outcome Children's mental health
    Overall effectiveness : 0 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 2 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Children's internalising behaviours
    Overall effectiveness : 0 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 2 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Children's externalising behaviours
    Overall effectiveness : -1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 2 (maximum 3)
  • Study Review

    Children with foetal alcohol spectrum disorders

    Interventions for children with foetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), to improve academic skills and learning strategies.

    Outcome Academic Skills
    Overall effectiveness : -1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 1 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Learning Strategies
    Overall effectiveness : -1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 0 (maximum 3)
  • Study Review

    Domestic violence perpetrator programmes

    Domestic abuse perpetrator programmes in the UK intended to reduce repeated episodes of violent behaviour.

    Outcome Repeated episodes of violent behaviour
    Overall effectiveness : 0 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 0 (maximum 3)
  • Study Review

    Family Drug and Alcohol Courts

    A structured intervention to address parental substance misuse supported by a multi-agency intervention team

    Outcome Family reunification
    Overall effectiveness : 0 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 3 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Care re-entry and re-abuse
    Overall effectiveness : -1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 3 (maximum 3)
  • Study Review

    Family Group Conferencing

    A Family Group Conference (FGC) is a decision-making meeting in which a child's wider family network comes together to plan around meeting the needs of the child/ren

    Outcome Children and young people entering out-of-home care
    Overall effectiveness : -1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 1 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Children and young people re-entering out-of-home care
    Overall effectiveness : -1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 0 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Reunification with the family after being in out-of-home care
    Overall effectiveness : -1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 0 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Families’ perception of empowerment in parenting situations
    Overall effectiveness : -1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 1 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Family satisfaction with the family group meeting service
    Overall effectiveness : -1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 0 (maximum 3)
  • Study Review

    Foster and kinship care support

    Interventions to support children living in foster and kinship care placements, and their carers

    Outcome Child behaviour
    Overall effectiveness : 1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 1 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Attachment and relationships
    Overall effectiveness : 0 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 2 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Placement outcomes
    Overall effectiveness : 1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 0 (maximum 3)
  • Study Review

    Home visit programmes

    Assessing whether home visit interventions for new and pregnant mothers are a cost-effective tool to prevent child maltreatment

    Outcome Child maltreatment
    Overall effectiveness : 0 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 3 (maximum 3)
  • Study Review

    Increasing social support and parenting skills for parents with a learning disability

    Interventions to support parents with a learning disability to increase their social support networks and improve their parenting skills.

    Outcome Social relationships
    Overall effectiveness : -1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 0 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Parenting skills
    Overall effectiveness : -1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 0 (maximum 3)
  • Study Review

    Incredible Years Parenting Programme

    Parenting programme to improve parenting skills and promote children’s academic, social and emotional skills as well as reduce their disruptive behaviours.

    Outcome Child attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms
    Overall effectiveness : 0 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 3 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Child emotional problems
    Overall effectiveness : -1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 3 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Parental mental health
    Overall effectiveness : -1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 3 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Harsh and inconsistent parenting
    Overall effectiveness : 0 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 3 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Positive parenting
    Overall effectiveness : -1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 3 (maximum 3)
  • Study Review

    Intensive Family Preservation Services

    An intensive, rapid response intervention aimed at families in crisis, where there is an imminent risk of children entering care

    Outcome Entry to care
    Overall effectiveness : 1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 3 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Family functioning
    Overall effectiveness : 0 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 1 (maximum 3)
  • Study Review

    Interventions for Women Parenting in the Context of Intimate Partner Violence

    Interventions targeted at women who are parenting in the context of being victims of intimate partner violence and their children which aim to reduce the adverse effects of intimate partner violence on the child’s wellbeing.

    Outcome Maternal Distress
    Overall effectiveness : -1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 2 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Parenting Skills
    Overall effectiveness : -1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 2 (maximum 3)
  • Study Review

    Kinship care

    An alternative to foster care or residential care that means a child can live with a family member or sometimes a close friend

    Outcome Placement stability
    Overall effectiveness : 0 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 3 (maximum 3)
  • Study Review

    Mellow Parenting

    A programme designed to improve attachment and address parental issues as well as developing better parent-child relationships

    Outcome Parental mental health
    Overall effectiveness : 0 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 0 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Child behaviour
    Overall effectiveness : 0 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 0 (maximum 3)
  • Study Review

    Mental health care interventions for children looked after

    Mental health interventions that can be delivered in outpatient settings to children who are looked after.

    Outcome Reduce or prevent behaviour problems
    Overall effectiveness : 0 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 1 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Caregiver sensitivity and positive engagement
    Overall effectiveness : 0 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 1 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Placement Stability
    Overall effectiveness : 0 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 1 (maximum 3)
  • Study Review

    Parent-Child Interaction Therapy

    A therapeutic intervention that encourages positive interactions between parents and children to reduce the risk of abuse

    Outcome Re-referral for child abuse
    Overall effectiveness : 0 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 2 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Risk of child abuse
    Overall effectiveness : 0 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 2 (maximum 3)
  • Study Review

    Parenting Programmes to prevent child physical abuse recurrence

    Behavioural parenting programmes aimed at improving the parent-child relationship and preventing the recurrence of child physical abuse by changing parenting practices and skills.

    Outcome Risk of child abuse recurrence
    Overall effectiveness : 0 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 2 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Harsh parenting and physical punishment
    Overall effectiveness : -1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 2 (maximum 3)
  • Study Review

    Pre-birth substance misuse programmes

    Integrated interventions targeting mothers with substance abuse issues aiming at improving parenting skills by providing in a “one stop” setting, addiction services as well as prenatal, parenting and child-related services.

    Outcome Parenting outcomes
    Overall effectiveness : 0 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 1 (maximum 3)
  • Study Review

    Residential care

    Comparing the outcomes of residential care with other types of placement, such as foster care

    Outcome Children's behaviour and skills
    Overall effectiveness : -1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 2 (maximum 3)
  • Study Review

    School-Based Education Programmes for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse

    School-based education programmes for the prevention of child sexual abuse aiming to provide children with the knowledge and skills to recognise and avoid potentially sexually abusive situations.

    Outcome Child self-protective skills
    Overall effectiveness : 0 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 1 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Factual knowledge of sexual abuse and its prevention
    Overall effectiveness : 1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 2 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Application of knowledge of sexual abuse and its prevention
    Overall effectiveness : 1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 2 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Child anxiety or fear (due to participation)
    Overall effectiveness : -1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 2 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Sexual abuse disclosures
    Overall effectiveness : -1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 2 (maximum 3)
  • Study Review

    Sexual abuse recovery using CBT

    Using cognitive-behavioural approaches to support the recovery of children who have experienced sexual abuse

    Outcome Child's psychological functioning
    Overall effectiveness : 0 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 2 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Child behaviour
    Overall effectiveness : -1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 2 (maximum 3)
  • Study Review

    Signs of Safety

    A strengths-based, safety-orientated approach to casework designed for use throughout the safeguarding process

    Outcome Entry to care
    Overall effectiveness : -1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 0 (maximum 3)
  • Study Review

    Social work supervision

    Supporting effective practice, job satisfaction and retention of social work staff through professional supervision

    Outcome Outcomes for workers
    Overall effectiveness : 0 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 0 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Outcomes for organisations
    Overall effectiveness : 0 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 0 (maximum 3)
  • Study Review

    Solution Focused Brief Therapy

    A strengths-based approach that emphasises positive attributes and behaviours and how these can be applied to overcome difficulties

    Outcome Children’s externalising behaviours
    Overall effectiveness : 0 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 0 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Children’s internalising behaviours
    Overall effectiveness : 0 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 0 (maximum 3)
  • Study Review

    Supervised contact visits between children in out-of-home care and their parents

    Individual family support and group interventions to improve the quality of supervised contact between children looked after and their parents

    Outcome Parental Outcomes
    Overall effectiveness : -1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 1 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Parent-Child Relationship
    Overall effectiveness : -1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 1 (maximum 3)
  • Study Review

    Supporting the education of looked after children

    A range of interventions aimed at improving educational outcomes for children and young people in care.

    Outcome Academic skills
    Overall effectiveness : 0 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 1 (maximum 3)
  • Study Review

    Therapeutic interventions for children who have experienced trauma through abuse and neglect

    Psychotherapeutic treatments to reduce symptoms of trauma, such as depression and anxiety, in children or young people following experiences of abuse and/or neglect.

    Outcome Complex PTSD symptoms
    Overall effectiveness : 0 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 2 (maximum 3)
  • Study Review

    Trauma-informed models in out-of-home care

    Frameworks used at an organisational level to enable trauma-informed practice.

    Outcome Children's behaviour
    Overall effectiveness : 0 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 0 (maximum 3)
  • Study Review

    Treatment foster care

    A specialist type of foster care placement for children who have more complex needs, who may be at risk of placement breakdown

    Outcome Child behaviour
    Overall effectiveness : -1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 2 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Placement stability
    Overall effectiveness : -1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 1 (maximum 3)
  • Study Review

    Triple-P Parenting Programme

    The Triple-P Parenting Programme is a multi-level system of support to prevent and treat social, emotional and behavioural problems in children by enhancing parent knowledge, skills and confidence.

    Outcome Child social, emotional and behavioural outcomes (both parents)
    Overall effectiveness : 1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 3 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Child observations (both parents)
    Overall effectiveness : 1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 3 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Parenting practices (both parents)
    Overall effectiveness : 1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 3 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Parenting satisfaction and efficacy (both parents)
    Overall effectiveness : 1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 3 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Parental adjustment (both parents)
    Overall effectiveness : 1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 3 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Parental relationship (both parents)
    Overall effectiveness : 1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 3 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Parent observations (both parents)
    Overall effectiveness : -1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 3 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Child social, emotional and behavioral outcomes (fathers)
    Overall effectiveness : 1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 3 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Child observations (fathers)
    Overall effectiveness : 1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 3 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Parenting practices (fathers)
    Overall effectiveness : 1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 3 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Parenting satisfaction and efficacy (fathers)
    Overall effectiveness : 1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 3 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Parental adjustment (fathers)
    Overall effectiveness : -1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 3 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Parental relationship (fathers)
    Overall effectiveness : 1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 3 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Parent observations (fathers)
    Overall effectiveness : -1 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 3 (maximum 3)
  • Study Review

    Web-based Parenting Programmes

    Web-based parenting programmes designed to improve parent and child outcomes using interventions delivered via the internet.

    Outcome Parent Outcomes
    Overall effectiveness : 0 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 3 (maximum 3)
    Outcome Child Outcomes
    Overall effectiveness : 0 (maximum 2)
    Strength of evidence : 3 (maximum 3)