New Practice Guide supports safe and effective family reunification

Foundations has published a new Reunification Practice Guide, providing evidence-based recommendations to help local authorities strengthen support for children and families when a child returns home following a period in care.

Reunification can be a pivotal transition for children, young people and their families. Rather than being a single event, it is a process requiring careful assessment and planning, shared decision-making and sustained support before, during and after a child returns home. The period following reunification can be particularly important. Families may be adjusting to separation, changes in relationships and routines and the continuing impact of the circumstances that led to a child entering care. Effective support can help families navigate this transition, strengthen stability and reduce the likelihood of a child subsequently returning to care.

Evidence-based recommendations and principles

The new Practice Guide brings together the best available evidence and provides four recommendations for supporting safe, stable and well-supported reunification. It also sets out eight key principles, informed by qualitative evidence about the views, experiences and preferences of children, young people and families in the UK. These are designed to help local authorities consider how evidence-based approaches can be implemented effectively in practice. Importantly, the evidence highlights that effective reunification requires a coordinated, multi-agency response.

Children's social care, Family Help, education, health, housing, voluntary and community organisations and specialist services all have a role to play in addressing risks, strengthening family and support networks and ensuring children and families receive the right help at the right time.

The guide is intended to support senior local authority leaders, commissioners and practitioners in planning and delivering effective reunification support and provides a useful evidence base for local areas reviewing their current approaches.

Read the Foundations Reunification Practice Guide and explore the recommendations and key principles.

See the Guide here - Reunification Practice Guide – Foundations