Research

A UK independent evaluation of KEEP Standard was completed by Ipsos MORI, and was published by the DfE in 2016. A short infographic summary is available here.

The key findings included:

• the outcomes for children measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires (Goodman 1997) completed by carers showed significant improvements from baseline to follow-up for emotional distress and prosocial behaviours compared with the control group. 
• the intervention group showed significantly greater improvements on the parenting scale (Arnold, et al 1993) compared with the control group at follow-up.
• qualitative interviews were held with 15 carers who had completed the training.  They were very positive about the KEEP programme, and particularly praised the format of sharing strategies and experiences with other carers. Carers felt that the programme improved how they responded to challenging behaviour and equipped them with new strategies. Most carers described changes in their child’s behaviour as a consequence.
• the qualitative interviews revealed improvements in placement stability and the potential avoidance of costs due to carers being better able to support and manage children’s challenging behaviours.

The evaluation also noted that foster carers' experience of the programme was very positive. 

To download a short summary of the Independent Evaluation, click here. 

To read the full report, click here.

In 2016 a paper was published entitled: “We know it works but does it last?” The implementation of the KEEP foster and kinship carer training programme in England. For a summary of that paper, click here.

A call for evidence has been published by the National Implementation Service which provides evidence based and research informed training and support for children (and their parents/carers) who are in care or on the edge of care or custody. Please click here to view, "National Fostering Stocktake – A Review of the Fostering System in England - Independent call for Evidence"

The original research trial for KEEP was conducted by Dr Patti Chamberlain and her colleagues in San Diego between 1999 – 2004 and was published in Prevention Science 2008 (Vol 9, pp 17-27).  The resulting sample consisted of 700 foster families (34% kinship and 66% foster carers). ) of mixed heritage (Hispanic (36%), Caucasian (28%), African American (27%), Asian (3%), Native American (1%)

The key findings included:

• an increase in the levels of positive reinforcement from carers.
• a decrease in the number of child behaviour problems (partly attributed to the high levels of positive reinforcement being used by carers).
• the effect was most evident where the child had relatively high levels of initial behaviour problems.
• re-unification rates were higher and placement disruption rates were lower compared to the control group.