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The mental health of children and young people in contact with child welfare services: A qualitative exploration of the risk and protective factors in children who have experienced adversity

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Abisola Balogun-KatungORCiD, Ben Artis, Dr Hayley AldersonORCiD, Elly Brown, Professor Eileen KanerORCiD, Professor Judith RankinORCiD, Dr Raghu Lingam, Professor Ruth McGovernORCiD

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).

Abstract

© 2026 The Authors. Background: Children and young people (CYP) who use child welfare services are disproportionately affected by poor mental health in comparison to those who do not, due to adverse child experiences, such as maltreatment and family difficulties. Strengthening early interventions requires a better understanding of the risk and protective factors influencing mental health outcomes. Objective: To understand the risk and protective factors that may impact the mental health difficulties among children in contact with child welfare services. Participants and settings: CYP and their parents/caregivers and three Local Authorities across the North East of England. Methods: Semi structured interviews were conducted with 23 CYP and 18 parents/caregivers between November 2022 and February 2023. Interviews explored risk and protective factors for mental health difficulties of CYP, using four practitioner-informed case vignettes and optional semi-structured optional exercises and. Data were thematically analysed. Results: CYP using child welfare services primarily experienced mental health risk factors within the home and school environments, with parent/caregiver factors having a particularly negative impact on all aspects of CYP's lives including emotional regulation. However, not all CYP exposed to adversity develop mental health difficulties, certain protective factors like a strong supportive network, particularly from their parent/caregiver are more likely to thrive. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the importance of parent/caregiver factors in shaping CYP mental health. Preventative interventions should focus on strengthening the parent/caregiver-child relationship and supporting the parent/caregiver to respond appropriately to their child's need in the context of adversity.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Balogun-Katung A, Artis B, Alderson H, Brown E, Kaner E, Rankin J, Lingam R, McGovern R

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Child Protection and Practice

Year: 2026

Volume: 10

Print publication date: 01/09/2026

Online publication date: 08/07/2026

Acceptance date: 08/07/2026

Date deposited: 21/07/2026

ISSN (electronic): 2950-1938

Publisher: Elsevier BV

URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chipro.2026.100332

DOI: 10.1016/j.chipro.2026.100332

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