Implementing 'The Promise': a case study of 'systems change'

Statistics show that 15% of all placements in Scotland, breakdown (www.cypnow.co.uk, 2019) and research highlights the child's level of emotional disturbance as a contributing factor(Scie.org.uk, 2019). Research by Play Therapy UK(PTUK) shows that Play Therapy has a positive impact for 83% of children with severe problems (Playtherapy.org.uk, 2019) which indicates that it may be a suitable method for working with children who have experienced multiple and prolonged abuse, as the impact of this has been shown to have significant impact on future development(Burke Harris, 2018) .

There are three questions that I anticipate in answering with the research;
1. Is intensive therapy more effective than weekly therapy?
2. Is the level of trauma indicative of the level of success?
3. Does family work support the effectiveness of this treatment?

This would be an applied piece of research, aimed at working towards improving outcomes for looked after children in foster care who have experienced high levels of adversity. My methodology would be to combine both a quantitative and qualitative piece of research. My methodology for the quantitative research would be using experimental studies. These would provide empirical evidence from providing structured environments where I am able to change specific variables and can analyse the outcomes. I would then complete a longitudinal study to provide an over view about whether change has been sustained- and thus outcomes have improved. I would anticipate that the longitudinal study would extend beyond the remits of a PhD and may be a follow up piece of research.