Relationships in Good Hands Trial

This trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness and practicality of a therapy called Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) in improving the mental health of 5-12 year old fostered or adopted children. Many of these children have experienced abuse and neglect, leading to significant mental health challenges. DDP focuses on building parent-child relationships through "Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy" (PACE).

We're investigating whether DDP can be smoothly integrated into different settings, including the NHS, Social Care, and Private Practice. Through in-depth interviews with therapists and service managers, we're assessing the feasibility of conducting a high-quality trial of DDP. Ultimately, we aim to determine if DDP is more effective than usual services and if the benefits outweigh the costs. Our findings will inform recommendations on how social care and health services can collaborate to better support abused and neglected children and their families, potentially improving outcomes globally.