The effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving access to health and mental health services for looked after children and young people: a systematic review

Background: Compared with children and young people in the general population, looked after children and young people (LACYP) are more likely to experience behavioural, physical and psychological problems. Consequently, LACYP are likely to have greater need of health and mental health services to address any specific problems. This systematic review aimed to identify and synthesise evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to improve access to services accessed by LACYP. Methods: Searches of health, social science and social care databases were conducted and records were screened for relevance. Results: Five studies were included (four prospective cohort studies and one non-comparative study). There was considerable variation in terms of the services, interventions and outcomes reported. Conclusions: Little appropriate evidence was identified by this review, suggesting that the evidence base is at a very early stage.