Conclusion: outcomes, effectiveness and good practice

In this final chapter I want us to think about the results of all our work with children and young people in care. We will review more of the evidence from past and recent research into the outcomes of care for children and young people, some of which we considered in the previous chapter. In this chapter we will also reflect on what this research actually tells us, on what we mean by outcomes, and what is being compared with what. Following this I want to focus on the idea of effectiveness and ‘what works’, before looking more generally at what constitutes good practice with children and young people in care. I will conclude by arguing again for a particular approach to practice, one that prioritises an active relationship with the child or young person.