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Posts by Foundations – What Works Centre for Children & Families

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What’s needed to ensure more eligible children can benefit from Family Group Conferences (FGCs)? 📈

Our recently published research helped us identify some key actions that policy makers & practitioners can take to increase uptake of FGCs.

📄 foundations.org.uk/publications/fgc-family-experience

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Azariah Hope, peer researcher and Family Rights Group advisory panel member: "What is truly captured through Family Group Conferences, and we hope can be embedded systemically, is what family means – when love and practical care are the answer, and when families need to work alongside compassionate accountability from everyone in a child’s life with the support of therapeutic input or other services. An FGC creates a foundation for this – empowering families in understanding their roles and what is in their control in a time that can often feel quite the opposite."

Azariah Hope, peer researcher and Family Rights Group advisory panel member: "What is truly captured through Family Group Conferences, and we hope can be embedded systemically, is what family means – when love and practical care are the answer, and when families need to work alongside compassionate accountability from everyone in a child’s life with the support of therapeutic input or other services. An FGC creates a foundation for this – empowering families in understanding their roles and what is in their control in a time that can often feel quite the opposite."

✍️ Azariah Hope, a peer researcher with lived experience of children’s social care, writes about working on our latest #FamilyGroupConference report on families’ experiences: what has stayed with her, and what she wants practitioners and policymakers to know.

👉 foundations.org.uk/the-role-of-...

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Card with a strong orange background, showing the cover page of the Department for Education’s Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies Guidance on the left-hand side. On the right, a text reads: “New guidance for local authorities. Foundations’ Guidebook, the Practice Guides, and the Family Hubs Planning Framework are included as key resources to support planning and commissioning Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies service. Find out more: foundations.org.uk”

Card with a strong orange background, showing the cover page of the Department for Education’s Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies Guidance on the left-hand side. On the right, a text reads: “New guidance for local authorities. Foundations’ Guidebook, the Practice Guides, and the Family Hubs Planning Framework are included as key resources to support planning and commissioning Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies service. Find out more: foundations.org.uk”

Our evidence and resources are embedded in the Department for Education’s Best Start Family Hubs and Healthy Babies Programme Guidance published yesterday 📢 👏 We look forward to continuing our work to support evidence-based practice and help improve outcomes for children & families.

3 weeks ago 0 0 0 0
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Foundations 📰 March newsletter Find out more about our new report on Family Group Conferences, our Changemakers event and our trip to Parliament, plus lots of opportunities!

Our March newsletter is out 📰 Read about our new report on #FamilyGroupConferences, our event to celebrate the Changemakers programme, and our discussion on Kinship Zones at the APPG for Kinship Care. Plus ➕ some exciting opportunities to work with us!

👉 mailchi.mp/foundations....

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Card reading: Join our kinship care advisory group. We are seeking individuals who can bring lived experience, professional insight, and research expertise to help shape our work on kinship care. Closes: 11:59pm, Tuesday 31 March 2026.

Card reading: Join our kinship care advisory group. We are seeking individuals who can bring lived experience, professional insight, and research expertise to help shape our work on kinship care. Closes: 11:59pm, Tuesday 31 March 2026.

🚨 Closes tomorrow 🚨 Join our new Kinship Care Advisory Group and help ensure that our work on #KinshipCare is shaped by those who understand it best!

Deadline to apply: 11:59pm, 31 March.
Info ➡️ foundations.org.uk/opportunity/...

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from left to right: Gail Gibbons (YEF), Louise Ashwell (Cordis Bright), Rob Newton (York Council), Jo Flanagan (Foundations), Emma McDonough (Stockport Council)

from left to right: Gail Gibbons (YEF), Louise Ashwell (Cordis Bright), Rob Newton (York Council), Jo Flanagan (Foundations), Emma McDonough (Stockport Council)

Interested in delivering and sustaining evidence-based support for children & families ✅ but couldn’t make our final Changemakers event last week? 😕 We’ve got you covered! Read about the event and watch a recording on our website ▶️ foundations.org.uk/changemakers...

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How can local authorities increase the likelihood that a family will accept an offer of a #FamilyGroupConference? 💭

Our new research shines a light on the experiences of families, to help us understand how local authorities can increase uptake 👉 foundations.org.uk/publications/fgc-family-experience

4 weeks ago 0 0 0 0
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A card showing a photo of Cathy Ashley, Chief Executive at Family Rights Group, and her quote: “Despite the evidence on the benefits of family group conferences, this groundbreaking research has highlighted that the vast majority of children in need or at risk are not being offered a family group conference, and that those who are disabled, older or from ethnic minorities may be even less likely to be offered one than other children. The findings highlight the urgent need for local and national leaders to address this, in the interests of children and their families, and to the benefit of society and the public purse.”

A card showing a photo of Cathy Ashley, Chief Executive at Family Rights Group, and her quote: “Despite the evidence on the benefits of family group conferences, this groundbreaking research has highlighted that the vast majority of children in need or at risk are not being offered a family group conference, and that those who are disabled, older or from ethnic minorities may be even less likely to be offered one than other children. The findings highlight the urgent need for local and national leaders to address this, in the interests of children and their families, and to the benefit of society and the public purse.”

Our newest report has uncovered inequalities in who is referred for a Family Group Conference. Cathy Ashley (@familyrightsgp.bsky.social) highlights the need to close these gaps so children and families don’t miss out on this evidence-based support.

Full story 👉 foundations.org.uk/press-releas...

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A card showing an photo of Max Stanford, Managing Director of Research at Coram and author of the report, and his quote: “This is an incredibly timely and important piece of research that points to the need to ensure better access to FGCs for families through improved referrer knowledge and processes, as well as capacity within FGC services to support families throughout the FGC process. It also highlights the need for the collection of national data on FGC access and take up and more research into the barriers and enablers for older children, those with a disability and those from ethnic minority groups.”

A card showing an photo of Max Stanford, Managing Director of Research at Coram and author of the report, and his quote: “This is an incredibly timely and important piece of research that points to the need to ensure better access to FGCs for families through improved referrer knowledge and processes, as well as capacity within FGC services to support families throughout the FGC process. It also highlights the need for the collection of national data on FGC access and take up and more research into the barriers and enablers for older children, those with a disability and those from ethnic minority groups.”

Family Group Conferences can divert children from entering care, but our research shows significant barriers in access. Max Stanford (@wearecoram.bsky.social) highlights what we need to ensure the FGC offer is improved for all families and children.

Full story 👉 foundations.org.uk/press-releas...

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A Foundations branded graphic that reads: "An estimated 86% of local authorities have, or are developing, an FGC service". On the right hand side is a pie chart with two segments. The larger represents the proportion of local authorities with, or developing, an FGC service.

A Foundations branded graphic that reads: "An estimated 86% of local authorities have, or are developing, an FGC service". On the right hand side is a pie chart with two segments. The larger represents the proportion of local authorities with, or developing, an FGC service.

A Foundations branded graphic that reads: "Per local authority, FGC referrals ranged from 7 to 1,144, with an average of 220". On the right hand side is a bar chart showing two bars in orange, representing the highest and lowest values, and a bar in oatmeal, representing the average value.

A Foundations branded graphic that reads: "Per local authority, FGC referrals ranged from 7 to 1,144, with an average of 220". On the right hand side is a bar chart showing two bars in orange, representing the highest and lowest values, and a bar in oatmeal, representing the average value.

A Foundations branded graphic that reads: "53% of referrals to an FGC service resulted in an FGC meeting". On the right hand side is a a doughnut chart which shows two segments, the larger of which represents the number of referrals resulting in an FGC meeting."

A Foundations branded graphic that reads: "53% of referrals to an FGC service resulted in an FGC meeting". On the right hand side is a a doughnut chart which shows two segments, the larger of which represents the number of referrals resulting in an FGC meeting."

A Foundations branded graphic that reads: "Our data showed that only 1 in 10 referrals for an FGC took place at the pre-proceedings stage, before care proceedings were initiated". On the right hand side is a pictogram, which uses outlines of people to represent this statistic. One of the 10 images is coloured orange and the remaining nine images are coloured oatmeal.

A Foundations branded graphic that reads: "Our data showed that only 1 in 10 referrals for an FGC took place at the pre-proceedings stage, before care proceedings were initiated". On the right hand side is a pictogram, which uses outlines of people to represent this statistic. One of the 10 images is coloured orange and the remaining nine images are coloured oatmeal.

Our new research found that, despite most local authorities in England having a #FamilyGroupConference service, referrals varied widely & only half resulted in an FGC taking place 🔎

📄 foundations.org.uk/our-work/pub...

@wearecoram.bsky.social, @familyrightsgp.bsky.social, @lornastabler.bsky.social

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A Foundations branded orange and oatmeal quote card from Foundations' Chief Executive, Dr Jo Casebourne: “Our new report has clear findings: if we want Family Group Conferences to reach every family who could benefit, we need to support local authority practice, improve access for minoritised families, and ensure every parent can give genuinely informed consent. As the new statutory duty comes into force, our report aims to ensure that more families can take part in FGCs to make informed decisions about their child’s future.”

A Foundations branded orange and oatmeal quote card from Foundations' Chief Executive, Dr Jo Casebourne: “Our new report has clear findings: if we want Family Group Conferences to reach every family who could benefit, we need to support local authority practice, improve access for minoritised families, and ensure every parent can give genuinely informed consent. As the new statutory duty comes into force, our report aims to ensure that more families can take part in FGCs to make informed decisions about their child’s future.”

NEW BLOG ✍️ Our Chief Exec, Dr Jo Casebourne, unpacks our new research into families’ experiences of being offered a #FamilyGroupConferences & reflects on the significance of the findings for local authorities implementing CSC reforms.

Read the blog 👉 foundations.org.uk/listening-to...

4 weeks ago 0 0 0 0
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To help ensure the findings of our new research have an impact locally, we’ve published a practice briefing, produced by @familyrightsgp.bsky.social, to support high-quality practice & equitable access to Family Group Conferences 🌟

Read now 👉 foundations.org.uk/wp-content/u...

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NEW REPORT 📢 Today we’ve published new research by @wearecoram.bsky.social, w/ @familyrightsgp.bsky.social & @lornastabler.bsky.social, exploring families' experiences of being offered a #FamilyGroupConference.

Read the report 👉 foundations.org.uk/publications/fgc-family-experience

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A quote card featuring an image of, and quote from, UKRI Policy Fellow Dr Alison McKinlay. Alison has light skin and straight light-brown hair that falls to just below her shoulders. It is styled with a fringe. She is wearing a white collared button-up shirt. Her quote says: “I’m excited to take up this new position as UKRI Policy Fellow with Foundations, and contribute to building a long-term, trauma- informed evidence base for children and families. One of the many highlights for me will be working closely with practitioners, commissioners and people with lived experience to co-produce practical tools that make a real difference in everyday decision-making."

A quote card featuring an image of, and quote from, UKRI Policy Fellow Dr Alison McKinlay. Alison has light skin and straight light-brown hair that falls to just below her shoulders. It is styled with a fringe. She is wearing a white collared button-up shirt. Her quote says: “I’m excited to take up this new position as UKRI Policy Fellow with Foundations, and contribute to building a long-term, trauma- informed evidence base for children and families. One of the many highlights for me will be working closely with practitioners, commissioners and people with lived experience to co-produce practical tools that make a real difference in everyday decision-making."

Dr Alison McKinlay joins Foundations, the national What Works Centre for Children & Families, as a @ukri.org Policy Fellow, where she will be leading strands of our ambitious #REACHplan focused on support for children affected by #DomesticAbuse. Find out more: foundations.org.uk/foundations-...

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A Foundations branded quote card from Adam Warner, Changemakers Local Evidence Lead, Merton Council: "Through Changemakers, Merton has gone on a transformational journey of embedding evidence leadership. We have been able to re-configure and adapt our parenting interventions over the life of the programme, demonstrating innovative new ways of engaging families in evidence-based interventions. We have adopted key tools and continue to build a legacy for utilising research and evidence in practice. We have created a more streamlined and tailored package of support for families and have seen an increase in outreach and referrals as a result. "

A Foundations branded quote card from Adam Warner, Changemakers Local Evidence Lead, Merton Council: "Through Changemakers, Merton has gone on a transformational journey of embedding evidence leadership. We have been able to re-configure and adapt our parenting interventions over the life of the programme, demonstrating innovative new ways of engaging families in evidence-based interventions. We have adopted key tools and continue to build a legacy for utilising research and evidence in practice. We have created a more streamlined and tailored package of support for families and have seen an increase in outreach and referrals as a result. "

A Foundations branded quote card from Maura Appleby, Changemakers Local Evidence Lead, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council: "Changemakers has led to more explicit use of evidence in practice and decision-making. Leaders recognise the importance of considering a wide range of evidence when planning and evaluating interventions. Being a Local Evidence Lead has been a motivating experience and working with the other LELs has led to lots of shared learning."

A Foundations branded quote card from Maura Appleby, Changemakers Local Evidence Lead, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council: "Changemakers has led to more explicit use of evidence in practice and decision-making. Leaders recognise the importance of considering a wide range of evidence when planning and evaluating interventions. Being a Local Evidence Lead has been a motivating experience and working with the other LELs has led to lots of shared learning."

A Foundations branded quote card from Rob Newton, Changemakers Local Evidence Lead, City of York Council: "As Local Evidence Lead I have had the opportunity to work alongside a variety of different colleagues to strengthen approaches using an evidence based approach. This has not been a theoretical approach but rather a practical ‘how can evidence help you grapple with the challenges you are facing?’ A highlight of the programme has been working on our framework for evidence use which lays the path for longer term impact beyond the Changemakers programme."

A Foundations branded quote card from Rob Newton, Changemakers Local Evidence Lead, City of York Council: "As Local Evidence Lead I have had the opportunity to work alongside a variety of different colleagues to strengthen approaches using an evidence based approach. This has not been a theoretical approach but rather a practical ‘how can evidence help you grapple with the challenges you are facing?’ A highlight of the programme has been working on our framework for evidence use which lays the path for longer term impact beyond the Changemakers programme."

Celebrating Changemakers’ Local Evidence Leads (LELs) 🗣️👇LELs have been central to the successful delivery of Changemakers, our evidence leadership initiative to bridge the gap between evidence & practice in children’s services. Find out more: foundations.org.uk/learning-fro...

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A Foundations branded graphic with a solid Teal background. It features an image of the front cover of the Children's Social Care National Framework (statutory guidance) dated March 2026. The copy to the right reads: "Inside today’s Children’s Social Care National Framework update: Local authorities should look to Practice Guides for the latest evidence to help them achieve the outcomes set out in the National Framework. Practice Guides provide a high-quality deep dive into the best available evidence of ‘what works’ in improving service design and delivering better outcomes for children and families.” The URL foundations.org.uk is included.

A Foundations branded graphic with a solid Teal background. It features an image of the front cover of the Children's Social Care National Framework (statutory guidance) dated March 2026. The copy to the right reads: "Inside today’s Children’s Social Care National Framework update: Local authorities should look to Practice Guides for the latest evidence to help them achieve the outcomes set out in the National Framework. Practice Guides provide a high-quality deep dive into the best available evidence of ‘what works’ in improving service design and delivering better outcomes for children and families.” The URL foundations.org.uk is included.

Today’s revised Children’s Social Care National Framework emphasises that ‘what works’ evidence, including the Practice Guides developed by Foundations & commissioned by @departmentforedu.bsky.social are a key resource for local areas 👇 More on Practice Guides: foundations.org.uk/practice-guides

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Graphic reading: Call for proposals. Systematic review of edge of care and family preservation interventions. Closes: 12:00pm (noon), Friday 10 April 2026.

Graphic reading: Call for proposals. Systematic review of edge of care and family preservation interventions. Closes: 12:00pm (noon), Friday 10 April 2026.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS 📢 We are seeking proposals from research organisations to deliver a systematic review identifying edge of care & family preservation interventions, to potentially inform the development of a new Practice Guide.
Closes: 12:00pm, Monday 10 April.
foundations.org.uk/opportunity/...

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A Foundations branded quote card features a head and shoulders image of Foundations’ Senior Local Development Adviser Jo Flanagan. Jo has shoulder-length medium-blonde curly hair and light skin. She wears a green blouse with small white dots on it. Jo’s quote reads: “As we reach the end of the two-year Changemakers programme, an interim evaluation by Cordis Bright shows promising findings. Local Evidence Leads (LELs) in four councils across the country have been pivotal in embedding evidence-based interventions, strengthening partnerships in children's services, and promoting more reflective, evidence-informed practice.” Find out more: foundations.org.uk.

A Foundations branded quote card features a head and shoulders image of Foundations’ Senior Local Development Adviser Jo Flanagan. Jo has shoulder-length medium-blonde curly hair and light skin. She wears a green blouse with small white dots on it. Jo’s quote reads: “As we reach the end of the two-year Changemakers programme, an interim evaluation by Cordis Bright shows promising findings. Local Evidence Leads (LELs) in four councils across the country have been pivotal in embedding evidence-based interventions, strengthening partnerships in children's services, and promoting more reflective, evidence-informed practice.” Find out more: foundations.org.uk.

NEW BLOG ✍️ As we reach the end of the 2-year Changemakers programme, an interim evaluation by @cordisbright.bsky.social shows how dedicated Local Evidence Lead roles can bridge the gap between evidence & practice in #ChildrensServices: foundations.org.uk/learning-fro...

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A quote from Foundations Deputy Director Donna Molloy’s blog: “We know children from minoritised ethnic backgrounds are more likely to be in informal arrangements than their peers from White backgrounds. At the same time, minoritised ethnic kinship families can face compound adversities caused by structural racism and inadequate support. Building an evidence base on what works for these kinship families is urgently needed.”

A quote from Foundations Deputy Director Donna Molloy’s blog: “We know children from minoritised ethnic backgrounds are more likely to be in informal arrangements than their peers from White backgrounds. At the same time, minoritised ethnic kinship families can face compound adversities caused by structural racism and inadequate support. Building an evidence base on what works for these kinship families is urgently needed.”

The Kinship Zones pilot will explore support for families in formal kinship arrangements. But what about those in informal arrangements, among which minoritised ethnic families are over-represented? Read about our work to find what works for all kinship families: foundations.org.uk/what-works-f...

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Photograph with a quote layout featuring a portrait of Aliya Saied-Tessier, Director at Alma Economics, on a blue background. The quote reads: "We are excited to have been commissioned by Foundations to carry out an independent evaluation of the Kinship Zones pilot. This is an important opportunity to contribute to a stronger evidence base about what truly makes a difference for kinship carers and the children they look after."

Photograph with a quote layout featuring a portrait of Aliya Saied-Tessier, Director at Alma Economics, on a blue background. The quote reads: "We are excited to have been commissioned by Foundations to carry out an independent evaluation of the Kinship Zones pilot. This is an important opportunity to contribute to a stronger evidence base about what truly makes a difference for kinship carers and the children they look after."

Foundations is working with @almaeconomics.bsky.social to carry out an independent evaluation of the #KinshipZones pilot, testing the impact of kinship financial allowances.
Aliya Saied-Tessier, Director at Alma Economics, has welcomed the collaboration 👇

foundations.org.uk/foundations-...

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Advancing the evidence base on kinship support [February newsletter]

February’s newsletter is out! 📨 This month, we talk about our work on supporting #KinshipCare families, our response to the Renewing #Fostering strategy, and an exciting new resource for local leaders & practitioners 👀
Read it here: us19.campaign-archive.com?u=62820447f0...

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Graphic displaying Dr Jo Casebourne's comment: “Kinship carers play a vital role in helping to ensure that children can stay safely looked after in their family networks. That’s why we’re pleased to undertake the evaluation of the kinship financial allowances pilot announced today, to help to build the evidence base and shape future support for kinship families.”

Graphic displaying Dr Jo Casebourne's comment: “Kinship carers play a vital role in helping to ensure that children can stay safely looked after in their family networks. That’s why we’re pleased to undertake the evaluation of the kinship financial allowances pilot announced today, to help to build the evidence base and shape future support for kinship families.”

Dr Jo Casebourne, Chief Executive of Foundations, has welcomed today’s launch of the Kinship Zones pilot 👉 foundations.org.uk/foundations-...

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We welcome today’s #KinshipZones announcement, an opportunity to find out what works to support kinship families. We’re working with Alma Economics to test the impact of the kinship financial allowances pilot. Learn more 👉 foundations.org.uk/foundations-...

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Curious about what we’ve been up to at Foundations? At the end of each month, we share updates, insights, and new publications & resources in our newsletter.

Sign up 👉 foundations.org.uk/newsletter

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A Foundations branded quote card which reads: "Minoritised ethnic children and young people growing up in kinship care have a very specific experience. Being involved in this work has been impactful and meaningful to me, because it's shown me that we could get closer to finding an answer to it all: there is such little acknowledgement of the experiences of young people like myself, and I don't wish that for the next generation." - Experts by Experience panel member.

A Foundations branded quote card which reads: "Minoritised ethnic children and young people growing up in kinship care have a very specific experience. Being involved in this work has been impactful and meaningful to me, because it's shown me that we could get closer to finding an answer to it all: there is such little acknowledgement of the experiences of young people like myself, and I don't wish that for the next generation." - Experts by Experience panel member.

NEW BLOG ✍️ We spoke to a member of our Experts by Experience panel about her involvement in the selection of our new projects on #KinshipCare & her views on the impact this research could have for minoritised ethnic children & young people.

Read now ➡️ foundations.org.uk/the-role-of-...

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Event 🗓️ 📢 Calling all local authority leaders, multi-agency partnerships & sector colleagues to join us to find out more about how to embed & sustain evidence use to drive change for children & families 👨🏽‍👩‍👧‍👦🏼 foundations.org.uk/news-and-eve...

2 months ago 0 0 0 0
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New project ✨ We have commissioned CASCADE (Cardiff Uni) in partnership with Families in Harmony to explore how #KinshipCare is experienced by children and young people with mixed heritage and/or placed with kinship carers of a different ethnicity.

Find out more: foundations.org.uk/foundations-...

2 months ago 0 0 0 0
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New project ✨ We've launched a qualitative study on #KinshipCare experiences of children and young people from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities. The research is led by @unilancashire.bsky.social, @worcesteruni.bsky.social & Swansea University.
Find out more: foundations.org.uk/foundations-...

2 months ago 0 0 0 0
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New research 📢 We're launching new projects to explore the experiences, needs & perspectives of minoritised ethnic children in #KinshipCare 💭

🤝 @cascaderesearch.bsky.social, Families in Harmony, @unilancashire.bsky.social, @worcesteruni.bsky.social & @swanseauni.bsky.social

🔗 shorturl.at/725eL

2 months ago 0 0 0 0
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As the first month of 2026 draws to a close, we’re looking forward to an ambitious year of driving evidence-based change for children, young people & families.

Sign up to our newsletter to stay in touch with our news, events and research in 2026 🌟 foundations.org.uk/newsletter/

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