This briefing paper describes research carried out at CardiffUniversity using Home-Start’s administrative data (MESH). The research considered families in different circumstances and looked at how the emotional well-being of parents in those different circumstances improves during Home-Start home visiting support. It looked at how support is provided, and which aspects of support
(Edited publisher abstract)
This briefing paper describes research carried out at CardiffUniversity using Home-Start’s administrative data (MESH). The research considered families in different circumstances and looked at how the emotional well-being of parents in those different circumstances improves during Home-Start home visiting support. It looked at how support is provided, and which aspects of support are particularly related to improvements for families in different circumstances. This briefing provides a summary of the research for Home-Start schemes. It outlines the findings, some of which highlight what sort of support can be effective for families in different circumstances. Some findings may also be useful for Home-Start schemes in applying for funding to continue to provide support or carry out additional support with families in specific circumstances. On the whole the relationship between the family’s circumstances and the rate at which improvements occur is very weak. There were families in all types of circumstances who improved quickly and all types of circumstances who improved slowly. However, there were some types of family circumstances which were associated with faster improvements for some families. Faster improvements occurred in some of the families for whom the referrer had indicated that domestic abuse was a concern, however it is important to be aware that this did not apply to all families where domestic abuse occurred. Some types of family situation were associated with slower improvements and longer durations of support, in particular these included families with a disabled parent, mental health problems and large families. The effects of life events that occur during the course of support were also considered, and there was evidence bereavements were also related to slower improvements.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
home visiting, voluntary work, evaluation, family support, intervention, parenting;
Support Care is a supportive intervention for families in crisis and at risk of breakdown where families are matched with a support carer who provides regular short breaks for children and young people. This briefing presents key findings from a qualitative case study to examine how Support Care was delivered, how it was perceived and experienced, and how it attempted to help with family difficulties. A total of 82 interviews and 22 observations of were undertaken over the course of ten support care placements. Key themes included the functions and features of time-scales within the service, the relationships forged over the course of the intervention and attempts to support families towards ‘good enough’ levels of functioning. The findings suggest that supported care was valued by families, carers and social workers. However the time-limited nature of the service meant it could be difficult for families and carers to establish relationships and the service was sometimes not enough to achieve long-lasting change.
Support Care is a supportive intervention for families in crisis and at risk of breakdown where families are matched with a support carer who provides regular short breaks for children and young people. This briefing presents key findings from a qualitative case study to examine how Support Care was delivered, how it was perceived and experienced, and how it attempted to help with family difficulties. A total of 82 interviews and 22 observations of were undertaken over the course of ten support care placements. Key themes included the functions and features of time-scales within the service, the relationships forged over the course of the intervention and attempts to support families towards ‘good enough’ levels of functioning. The findings suggest that supported care was valued by families, carers and social workers. However the time-limited nature of the service meant it could be difficult for families and carers to establish relationships and the service was sometimes not enough to achieve long-lasting change.
Subject terms:
family support, intervention, short break care, user views;