Evolve Therapeutic Services: A 5-year outcome study of children and young people in out-of-home care with complex and extreme behavioural and mental health problems

Abstract

Background: Little evaluation research has been conducted on the effectiveness of services and intervention provided to children in out-of-home care. This study evaluated an innovative Queensland, Australia program employing a collaborative wrap-round model of care in combination with a flexible intervention approach, individually tailored to children and young people in out-of-home care presenting with complex and extreme behavioural and mental health problems. Method: The sample consisted of 664 children and young people. Two clinician-rated measures, the CGAS and HoNOSCA, were used to assess young people's functioning via a pre-post-treatment design. Results: Results revealed significant improvements across a range of problems areas: general functioning and adjustment; disruptive, antisocial and aggressive behaviour; overactivity, poor attention and concentration; non-accidental self-injury; problems with scholastic and language skills; non-organic somatic symptoms; emotional symptoms; peer and family relationships; self-care and independence; and school attendance. Conclusion: Findings provide good evidence for the effectiveness of the therapeutic intervention program. Implications for future research are explored. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)Evolve Therapeutic Services, Gold Coast Hospital & Health Service, Southport, QLD, Australia. Release Date: 20161027. Correction Date: 20201001. Publication Type: Journal (0100), Peer Reviewed Journal (0110). Format Covered: Electronic. Document Type: Journal Article. Language: EnglishMajor Descriptor: Child Abuse; Foster Care; Intervention; Therapeutic Processes. Classification: Health & Mental Health Treatment & Prevention (3300). Population: Human (10); Male (30); Female (40). Location: Australia. Age Group: Childhood (birth-12 yrs) (100); Infancy (2-23 mo) (140); Preschool Age (2-5 yrs) (160); School Age (6-12 yrs) (180); Adolescence (13-17 yrs) (200); Adulthood (18 yrs & older) (300). Tests & Measures: Health of the Nations Outcome Scale for Children and Adolescents; Children's Global Assessment Scale. Methodology: Empirical Study; Quantitative Study. References Available: Y. Page Count: 7. Issue Publication Date: Oct, 2016. Publication History: First Posted Date: Aug 26, 2016; Accepted Date: Aug 24, 2016; Revised Date: Aug 24, 2016; First Submitted Date: Mar 28, 2016. Copyright Statement: All rights reserved. Elsevier Ltd. 2016. <br />