15/10/2026
Assessing the relationship between a child and their primary caregivers, including parents, foster carers, grandparents and other responsible adults is a key consideration for children who may need mental health or social care support.
Many practitioners see attachment assessments as an essential window into a child’s experiences and needs, yet there is currently very little evidence on whether these assessments are accurate or effective and, indeed, whether they meet the needs of all families.
A major study launched today will recruit 300 families to test whether attachment assessments lead to better and fairer decisions about children’s mental health and safeguarding.
Over four and a half years, the Wellcome-funded study will recruit families in south London with children aged five to eight who are involved with NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
The findings could influence how CAMHS, social care services and policymakers assess children's needs and decide what support families receive.
The study is co-led by Professor Robbie Duschinsky from the University of Cambridge and Dr Sarah Foster from Northumbria University, with support from NCB, The Motherhood Group and the international Caregiving and Attachment Research and Education (CARE) Collaboration.
Find out more at https://buff.ly/EyAh7gZ
