An evaluation of the Step Up Step Down pilot programme in Pembrokeshire

Mannay, Dawn ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7368-4111, Roberts, Louise ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6154-3549, Stevenson, Sylvia and Baker, Emily 2026. An evaluation of the Step Up Step Down pilot programme in Pembrokeshire. [Project Report]. Cardiff: Children’s Social Care Research and Development Centre (CASCADE). Available at: https://cascadewales.org/research/step-up-step-dow...

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Abstract

This evaluation focussed on the implementation of the Step Up Step Down programme in Wales, which supported families on the edge of care, with the aim being to reduce the number of children coming into care and to support the bonds and capacities of families. The evaluation was conducted in two phases to ensure that it would involve both implementation sites of the Step Up Step Down programme in Wales, Pembrokeshire and Powys. This report focusses on the Step Up Step Down pilot in Pembrokeshire. In the evaluation period, 12 families (23 children) successfully stepped down from the service, with an average involvement of 14 months, supporting children aged between five months and 11 years. Among families who engaged with the programme in Pembrokeshire, the service achieved a 95% success rate, with 22 of the 23 children supported maintaining care arrangements at home. At the end of the evaluation period, the service was supporting 11 families (26 children), with an additional five families awaiting allocation. The evaluation involved children, parents, and Family Support Foster Carers, as well as staff working directly for The Fostering Network in Wales, social workers and Local Authority Senior Leads who were involved in the commissioning, organisation and delivery of Step Up Step Down. The evidence generated in this evaluation suggests that the combination of all elements of the Step Up Step Down pilot worked effectively to support families who gained capacity, skills and knowledge, and built supportive networks, which contributed to stable family relationships. The efficacy of Step Up Step Down pilot in Pembrokeshire, the positive evaluations of all those involved with the programme, and its success in supporting families to stay together are key indicators that this intervention should be continued and expanded.

Item Type:	Report (Project Report)
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education) Research Institutes & Centres > Children’s Social Care Research and Development Centre (CASCADE)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	foster care; children's social care; care experience; families
Publisher:	Children’s Social Care Research and Development Centre (CASCADE)
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	28 August 2026
Last Modified:	28 Aug 2026 10:00
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/189228

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