Mentoring for children in care: conceptualising the role, value, and outcomes of the Independent Visitor programme.

The aim of the PhD is to develop a programme theory of the independent visitor programme for children in care, setting the groundwork and foundation for a future evaluative-study of impact. The project will take a realist stance to explore with key stakeholders how the independent visitor programme works, for whom, how, why and in what circumstances. Methods will include interviews, focus groups, and a Delphi survey. Existing data will also be incorporated via secondary analysis.