The feasibility of conducting a longitudinal study on children in care or children leaving care within the Irish context

This study investigated the feasibility of conducting a longitudinal study on children in care or children leaving care within the Irish context. Specific objectives of this research included analysing the benefits and risks of a longitudinal study of young people leaving care as a stand-alone study compared to a study of young people currently in care or leaving care; systematically examining the technical, methodological and value for money barriers and enablers for conducting such a study; reviewing the policies and practices underpinning such longitudinal studies; analysing how a longitudinal study of children in care / leaving care in Ireland links with longitudinal studies of the general population and developing recommendations including costing to support future tendering options.