KContact: A trial of a supervised contact intervention for children in out-of-home care and their parents

Objectives When children are unable to safely live at home with their parents, contact is considered important for maintaining children’s sense of identity and their relationships with their parents, in most cases.... [ view full abstract ]

Objectives

When children are unable to safely live at home with their parents, contact is considered important for maintaining children’s sense of identity and their relationships with their parents, in most cases. However, the research evidence on supervised contact is weak and provides little guidance on how to support and manage contact, particularly for children in long-term care. A small number of studies have been identified where interventions which were therapeutic, child-focused and with clear goals, particularly aimed at preparing and supporting parents, showed some promising results. The kContact study aims to build on the existing evidence by trialling an enhanced model of contact in multiple sites in Australia. This paper outlines the methodology and the progress of the trial.

Method

This study is a cluster randomised controlled trial of a contact intervention with children in long-term care who are having supervised contact with their parents. Baseline and follow-up interviews have been conducted with parents, carers and agency workers. The primary outcome being assessed is change in children’s emotional safety and distress in response to the kContact intervention, improved relationships between children and their parents, improved parental ability to support contact, and fewer contact visits cancelled. Staff at the intervention sites have been trained and provided with support to adopt the kContact intervention that increases the preparation and support provided to parents in relation to contact.

Results

By early 2016, baseline interviews had been conducted with parents, carers and/or workers in relation to more than 120 children at 18 sites.

Conclusions

This is an important study which will increase the evidence base in relation to contact and better guide the management and supervision of contact visits for children in out-of-home care.