A mixed methods realist evaluation of a Digital Life Story work platform: What works, for whom, under what circumstances and how?

Hammond, Simon P., Seeley, Carys, Blackett, Rosie, Markovich, Gabriel and Wong, Geoff (2025) A mixed methods realist evaluation of a Digital Life Story work platform: What works, for whom, under what circumstances and how? British Journal of Social Work. ISSN 0045-3102 (In Press)

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Abstract

Life Story Work is a fundamental in children’s state care. It is a process of helping children make sense of their experiences to promote their well-being. As society increasingly uses online repositories to store digital artefacts, interest in commissioning Digital Life Story Work platforms grows. However, why, how, when, for whom and in what circumstances such platforms may help support children with experience of living in state care is unknown. Addressing this gap, we report on the first widespread rollout of a Digital Life Story Work platform across one English Local Authority. Utilising a participatory realist evaluation approach, we collected data from 119 participants and involved peer-researchers throughout. This paper presents our final programme theory. This illustrates that Digital Life Story Work is more likely to be optimal when it is: flexible and person-centred; provides future storytelling prompts; starts early; begins in the present; involves children, and constantly offers participation choices; records all aspects of everyday experiences and; when appropriate training and support is available. Findings provide key considerations for commissioners and implementers and begin to build a picture of how Digital Life Story Work platforms may become embedded in supporting children with experience of living in state care.

Item Type:	Article
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Education and Lifelong Learning Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Centres > Centre for Research on Children and Families
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	14 Feb 2025 16:30
Last Modified:	17 Feb 2025 09:30
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/98504
DOI:

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