Neglect, physical or emotional abuse Not Applicable
Conditions
Interventions
Two-arm, mixed method cluster randomised controlled trial comparing MST-CAN versus BAU across three sites (four local authorities) in England and Wales. The unit of randomisation will be the family.
Sponsors
University of Kent
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: 1. Family has at least one child aged 6-17 years 2. Subject to a Child Protection plan with a report of abuse or neglect in the previous 6 months 3. Usually resident in the local authority 4. One parent and at least one child willing and able to provide informed consent. Consent will be taken from parents for themselves, and any child aged less than 16 years, children aged 16 years or more will provide their own consent
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. A child who has already been placed away from home with no prospect of reconciliation 2. A child living independently 3. Current actual or suspected sexual abuse involving family members 4. Primary referral reason is a child’s serious mental health issue 5. Referred child assessed as being actively suicidal or homicidal
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Externalising behaviours assessed using the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The externalising behaviour score is computed as the sum of the conduct and hyperactivity domains of the SDQ. The pilot study will use the self-completed SDQ for those children aged 11 years or more and explore the correlation between parent and school-reported SDQ for those aged less than 11 years. This outcome will be assessed at baseline and again at month 9. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Child-related secondary outcomes: 1. Emotional symptoms and behavioural difficulties across several domains including conduct, hyperactivity, emotional regulation, peer relationships and prosocial behaviour, assessed using the SDQ 2. For those children aged 10 or more years, current delinquency assessed using the Self-Report Delinquency Scale (SRDS) over the previous 6 months 3. Wellbeing assessed using the short form, 10-item, KIDSCREEN10 4. Psychological health assessed using the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS-25) 5. Trauma-related psychological health assessed using the 8-item Child Revised Impact of Events Scale (CRIES-8) 6. For children in school, school belonging assessed using the School Connectedness Scale (SCS) 7. The frequency of school attendance, exclusions and suspensions, and criminal justice involvement over the previous 9 months, assessed using six questions derived from a Client Service Receipt Inventory (CSRI) Parent-related outcomes: 1. Indicators of future child abuse and neglect following baseline measures including any further referrals, children’s social care interventions or out-of-home placements over the 9 months from baseline to follow-up. 2. Family environment (relationships, conflict, and cohesion) assessed using the Brief Family Relationship Scale (BFRS) 3. Potential for child abuse and neglect assessed using the Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scale (CTSPC) 4. General psychological health assessed using the short-form Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-8) 5. Emotional regulation assessed using the Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale- Short Form (DERS-SF) 6. Post-traumatic stress symptomology assessed using the 20-item, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-V (PCL-5) All child and parent outcomes will be assessed at baseline prior to randomisation and again at 9 months post-randomisation. Process measures: Interventions delivered as part of MST-CAN will be derived from weekly case summaries | — |
Countries
England, United Kingdom, Wales
Contacts
Public ContactSimon Coulton
Outcome results
None listed