A psychology consultation service for social workers and foster carers in a child and adolescent mental health service

Abstract

In recent years, clinical consultation with foster carers has been widely developed as a way of supporting placements and indirectly meeting the needs of looked after children. This study aimed to evaluate a consultation model which was set up by Brent CAMHS in 2005 to support foster carers and social workers. The service aims to provide foster carers and social workers with quick access to short-term psychology-based support.A qualitative approach was used to provide a subjective account of social workers’ and carers’ experiences with the service. Data was collected through short telephone interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. The results were positive, and suggested that the Psychology Consultation Service (PCS) met its aims. Both carers and social workers found the PCS easily accessible. Carers reported that it enhanced their skills and understanding of their foster children, which increased their confidence and provided reassurance. Social workers reported that the PCS helped support them in their roles in terms of planning, offering an alternative perspective and developing their skills. Furthermore, the interventions helped to strengthen the system around the looked after child.The research supports previous studies that suggest consultations are an effective model of providing indirect therapeutic support to looked after children. The data did not directly show that the service prevented placement breakdowns. However, areas highlighted by the results have been linked to preventing placement breakdowns in other studies. Limitations and ideas for further research are discussed.