Teams involved
London Infant and Family Team (LIFT)
The BeST? Services Trial (BeST?) is a new study in Croydon and Tower Hamlets supported by the East London Family Court Judiciary. The study is a randomised controlled trial to determine whether a parenting intervention (delivered by London Infant Family Team - LIFT) is a more beneficial long-term for children, and a more cost-effective service when compared to social work care (Service as Usual - SaU).
STUDY PROCESS
- EVERY family with all chidlren 0-5 in care proceedings in a family placement are eligible and must be given a chance to be in the study.
- A member of the BeST? study will talk to families and explain the study.
- If the family consents to the study they will be randomly chosen to receive LIFT or SaU, much like rolling a dice.
- A research team sees the children and whoever is caring for them 3 times over 21/2 years, regardless if they receive LIFT or SaU. This is how we can determine which service is best.
The BeST? study can help us learn the best way to improve the mental health and placement stability of pre-school children who have come into foster care becasue of abuse and/or neglect. This study is the first of its kind and if successful can radically transform the way we implement social services for children and families.
Publication
What does the most effective support for children going into care look like?
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR BeST?
EVERY FAMILY with children 0-5 in care proceedings, placed in care (foster, mother and baby and family placements) must be informed of the BeST? Study and given a chance to participate.
HOW DOES A FAMILY RECEIVE LIFT or SaU?
The only way to possibly receive the LIFT service is to enter the BeST? Study. Families consent to be in the study and a computer decides if they receive LIFT or SaU.
WHAT DO SOCIAL WORKERS HAVE TO DO?
Explain to the families that there is a new study in Croydon that they may choose to be part of.
WHAT DOES THE FAMILY HAVE TO DO?
Whoever cares for the child comes to King's College London for a 1-3 hour research assessment, 3 times over 2.5 years.
WHO DO I CONTACT?
Email - besttrial@kcl.ac.uk
Telephone - Helene 07452952682 or Udita 02078485253