Children in out-of-home care placements: an Italian research study on outcomes and processes

The study examined data about 8438 children placed in out-of-home care by Child Protection Services in a region in the Northern Italy, during the time span of 2008–2012, to understand whether out-of-home placements led to an effective improvement in their conditions. Starting from literature analysis and available data, a range of outcome and process typologies was developed in order to analyse data. In particular, five outcome types (in family, stable; out of family, stable; adopted; on-going placement; unknown) and six process types (evolving; regressive; oscillating; static out-of-home; uncertain at home; undetectable) were detected. Each type was divided into sub-types. Then each child was given a tag attuned to an outcome and a process type. Descriptive analysis about outcomes and processes was carried out. The types and sub-types used in the study seemed to be a useful instrument for analysing the children’s paths outside their birth families. Implications for social work are discussed.