Editorial perspective: Facilitating access to mental health research participation for children in care: Lessons from the ReThink project

Robinson, Charlotte, Shelton, Katherine H. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1311-5291, Holmes, Lisa, Carter, Bethan, Sprecher, Eva A., Garmadon, Ace, H, Clo and Hiller, Rachel M. 2026. Editorial perspective: Facilitating access to mental health research participation for children in care: Lessons from the ReThink project. JCPP Advances , e70114. 10.1002/jcv2.70114

PDF - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (916kB)

Abstract

Children in care have historically been under-represented in mental health research, despite high levels of need. Consequently, there is a lack of high-quality empirical evidence to drive advocacy, practise, and policy, and the direct voice of children in care is often absent. In this Editorial Perspective, we outline three key areas of consideration, that must be understood and addressed to maximise the success of primary mental health research with this group of children. Specifically, we focus on: capacity issues in children's social care and partnership working; consent and assent procedures; and supporting children in care through mental health research. The paper is informed by the ReThink Project, a longitudinal mixed-methods study involving 450 care-experienced young people across 13 local authorities in England and Wales. The issues and solutions we discuss have implications for future study design, including timelines and funding.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	In Press
Schools:	Schools > Medicine Schools > Psychology
Publisher:	Wiley
ISSN:	2692-9384
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	26 March 2026
Date of Acceptance:	24 February 2026
Last Modified:	26 Mar 2026 10:15
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/186032

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item