Understanding How and Under What Circumstances Parental Advocates Support Parents to Participate in Decision-making: A Scoping Review

Samantha Fitz-Symonds, David Wilkins, David Westlake, Fiona Long, Lilly Evans, Clive Diaz

ABSTRACT

Objective

This scoping review aimed to map the extent of evidence on parental advocacy programmes supporting participation in child welfare decision-making.

Introduction

Though parental advocacy programmes aim to empower parents navigating complex child welfare systems, the breadth of evidence has not yet been synthesised.

Inclusion criteria

Literature from 2002–2022 on parental advocacy programmes related to child welfare decision-making, encompassing various models.

Methods

Academic databases, grey literature, and reference lists were searched in September 2022. Screening and data extraction utilised standardised forms. Analysis incorporated summary and thematic methods.

Results

57 studies were included, exhibiting a predominance of qualitative methods. Peer advocacy was the most common model. The review reveals a proliferation of peer support initiatives aiming to enhance parental empowerment through shared experiences.

Conclusions

Parental advocacy programmes demonstrate promise for improving family experiences and participation in child welfare systems. However, more rigorous evaluation is needed to elucidate the connections between specific programmes elements and outcomes. The review maps the current evidence landscape, while underscoring the need for implementation research and inclusive participation paradigms.