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Family group conferences (FGCs) in child welfare share decision-making with family members by bringing the immediate and wider family together to make a plan to meet a child's needs. This paper reports survey findings on FGC provision in the UK in 2022 and explores whether in England the presence of an FGC service and the rate of FGC provision is associated with the rate of children in care, entering care, in kinship foster care and leaving care. Seventy-nine per cent (n  = 167) of local authorities in the UK provided FGCs to families, and 14 per cent (n  = 29) did not. Services that were more established offered a more diverse range of FGCs. The introduction of FGCs in English local authorities was associated with a higher rate of children in care, but also higher rates of kinship foster care, a key goal of FGCs where it is not possible for children to stay with their parents. Higher rates of FGCs were associated with more children leaving care, possibly due to reunification with birth families. To understand in more detail, the circumstances of children in and leaving care in local authorities with FGCs, individual data linkage studies are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community screening for sarcopenia is complex, with barriers including access to specialized equipment and trained staff to conduct body composition, strength and function assessment. In the current study, self-reported dietary protein intake and physical activity (PA) in adults ≥65 years was assessed relative to sarcopenia risk, as determined by body composition, strength and physical function assessments, consistent with the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) definition. Of those screened (n = 632), 92 participants (77% female) were assessed as being at high risk of developing sarcopenia on the basis of dietary protein intake ≤1 g∙kg−1∙day−1 [0.9 (0.7–0.9) g∙kg−1∙day−1] and moderate intensity physical activity <150 min.week−1. A further 31 participants (65% female) were defined as being at low risk, with both protein intake [1.2 (1.1–1.5) g∙kg−1∙day−1] and PA greater than the cut-off values. High-risk participants had reduced % lean mass [53.5 (7.8)% versus 54.8 (6.1)%, p < 0.001] and impaired strength and physical function. Notably, high-risk females exhibited greater deficits in lean mass and strength, with minimal differences between groups for males. In community-dwelling older adults, self-reported low protein intake and low weekly PA is associated with heightened risk for sarcopenia, particularly in older women. Future research should determine whether early intervention in older adults with low protein intake and PA attenuates functional decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents my reflections on a method that attempts to bridge a methodological divide in fashion studies by blending garment analysis and wardrobe interviews. In doing so it presents the ways in which we can consider evidence from the subject, the object and the subject–object assemblage. Garment analysis is a method rooted in dress history and fashion curation, whereas wardrobe interviews grew out of anthropology and sociology. While wardrobe interviews do to some extent offset the preference for language in interviews, what is missing was a systematic way of encouraging a deeper engagement with that garment. Interview techniques can provoke the wearers or owners of clothes to narrate their garments. With one method we consider the object, the other method the subject. My research gathers evidence from both the subject and the object by blending garment analysis with wardrobe interviews to uncover the meanings entangled in objects and memories, to interrogate what we can consider evidence from the subject, the object and the subject–object assemblage. My study explores how this methodological pluralism can allow movement between material, semiotic and affective interpretations of garments. I conclude by emphasizing the importance of both the physical garment and the embodied experience of wearing to fashion research and argue that 'turns' in the discipline should instead be considered as expansions that allow the coexistence of multiple approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Appropriate allegation investigations within social care are paramount to protect children. However, many allegations are unsubstantiated (Biehal et al., 2014) and result in stress and anxiety for fostering families (Adams, Hassett and Lumsden, 2018), financial uncertainty (Boffey, Stanton and Thomas, 2019), unplanned endings and foster carers leaving their role (Adams, Hassett and Lumsden, 2018). There is little research into the prevalence, nature and outcomes of allegations against foster carers. This UK-based study uses The Fostering Network's State of the Nation's Foster Care (SOTN) 2021 survey and analyses responses from 3,352 UK foster carers and 99 fostering service staff. Qualitative findings reflect six themes: (1) emotional impacts, (2) financial implications, (3) independent support, (4) social services involvement, (5) understanding allegations, and (6) children being removed or foster carers leaving their role. Quantitative findings show only 25% of those experiencing an allegation believed they were sufficiently communicated with, only 20% believed specified timescales were adhered to, 57% did not receive independent support, and 36% said no support was offered to children in their home. Poor information-sharing and lack of support were found to have exacerbated the stress experienced. Plain Language Summary: When someone accuses a foster carer of being unsuitable to care for children or of harming a child, it is crucial to investigate these claims thoroughly. These investigations play a vital role in keeping children in foster care safe from harm. Listening to the concerns of children and young people and taking their opinions seriously can also contribute to their improved self-esteem, confidence and wellbeing. Research shows that many of the allegations made against foster carers are unsubstantiated, meaning there is not enough evidence to decide if the event occurred or not. Regardless of the outcome, these investigations often have negative side effects for foster carers and their families including stress, anxiety and financial uncertainty. In addition, allegation investigations can lead to children and young people's placements ending and foster carers stopping fostering. The Fostering Network's State of the Nation's Foster Care (SOTN) 2021 survey in the UK asked foster carers and fostering services about their experiences of allegations. This study looked at the responses to the survey, which found that allegation investigations were often very difficult and emotional experiences for foster carers and their families and sometimes caused financial difficulty. There seemed to be a lack of independent support, and foster carers often felt unsupported by social services. Foster carers' understanding of allegation processes was sometimes unclear, and it seemed that allegations could lead to children being abruptly removed from their placements as well as foster carers ending their fostering role. The strengths and limitations of the study are discussed and suggestions are made to improve how foster carers are supported through allegation investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying which approaches can effectively reduce the need for out-of-home care for children is critically important. Despite the proliferation of different interventions and approaches globally, evidence summaries on this topic are limited. This study is a scoping review using a realist framework to explore what research evidence exists about reducing the number of children and young people in care. Searches of databases and websites were used to identify studies evaluating intervention effect on at least one of the following outcomes: reduction in initial entry to care; increase in family reunification post care. Data extracted from papers included type of study, outcome, type and level of intervention, effect, mechanism and moderator, implementation issues and economic (EMMIE) considerations. Data were coded by: primary outcome; level of intervention (community, policy, organisation, family or child); and type of evidence, using the realist EMMIE framework. This is the first example of a scoping review on any topic using this framework. Evaluated interventions were grouped and analysed according to system-level mechanism. We present the spread of evidence across system-level mechanisms and an overview of how each system-level mechanism might reduce the number of children in care. Implications and gaps are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]