Developing trust while in care: young people’s experiences
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Developing trust with professionals: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of care experienced young people's experiences
IRAS ID
336456
Contact name
Ben Gibbons
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Staffordshire University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 1 days
Research summary
Summary of Research
The objective of this research is to explore how children and young people living in the care of a local authority have experienced developing trust with professionals. Care experienced children and young people have typically experienced repeated instances of neglect and abuse, which may lead to disrupted relationships with key attachment figures (i.e. parents) and significant psychological difficulties. Being taken into care means that young people are supported by a variety of professionals such as foster carers, social workers, mental health professionals and education professionals. It is well known that forming an effective helping relationship is critical to providing care and support to a young person in care and subsequently when considering any outcomes or change for the young person At the foundation of any supportive relationship is trust and safety and to date there are no studies that have explored the concept of trust from the perspective of a care experienced young person. Additionally, the voices and views of care experienced young people are rarely captured in research which is why this piece of research will conduct a one-hour interview with 6-8 care experienced young people aged 13-25 who entered the care of a local authority before the age of 9. Participants will be recruited from two looked after children’s child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) and a local authority department. Care leavers up to the age of 25 will also be invited to take part.
Summary of Results
Who carried out the research?
This study was completed by Ben Gibbons as part of their Professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at University of Staffordshire. The research was not funded by any external organisation.Why was the research needed?
For young people in care, building trust with professionals can be difficult. Early experiences of harm and broken trust shape how safe relationships feel. Services often try to help, but frequent changes of staff can undermine trust. Very little research has asked young people directly about how they experience trust outside therapy.Who took part?
Five young women aged 14–21 who had lived in local authority care in England. Some were still in care, others were care leavers.What happened?
Each participant took part in a one-to-one interview either face-to-face or online via MS Teams. They shared their personal experiences of trust with professionals such as social workers, teachers and mental health staff.What did we find?
Trust was built through small, everyday actions that showed care and reliability. Professionals who were honest, genuine and consistent made the biggest difference. Trust was damaged when promises were broken or when professionals changed too often. Past experiences of betrayal left lasting effects, and many participants expected that relationships would not last.How does this help?
The findings show that trust is vital for care experienced young people but remains fragile. Professionals and services can help by being consistent, warm and honest, and by reducing unnecessary changes in staff.A special thanks is given to the young people who took part for their openness, time and trust in sharing their experiences.
REC name
HSC REC B
REC reference
24/NI/0095
Date of REC Opinion
4 Sep 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion