1. Developing a protocol for a systematic review David Mulcahy, Kerry Gray and Kristin Liabo

2. Decide on a research question Look for studies that have already tried to answer the question Read the relevant studies that we find Decide on whether the studies are of good quality Write a report which sums up what the studies conclude What is a systematic review?

3. Something relevant to looked after children’s health Two meetings to decide on the topic In discussions the following topics were identified as important: Our systematic review:

4. What is the most important issue for looked after children’s health? Mental healthBullying Teenage pregnancies Offending EducationAlcohol and drugs

5. Interventions to help looked after children stay in school Education:

6. What links education and health??????? Education helps with your mental and physical development Research has shown that you live a longer life if you’ve got a good education Education is important to health because it is likely to give you a better job, and therefore more money Education comes first. It prevents crime, drug use, alcohol use and therefore improves your health.

7. The case against education: There is no direct relationship between education and health Education is useful but not essential I disagree with the choice of topic but I still want to be part of the review, and to make a contribution

8. 44% of children looked after gained one GCSE or GNVQ (compared with 99.2%) 7% of children looked after gained at least 5 GCSEs at grade A* to C (compared with 69.7%) 63% of care leavers were in education, employment or training on their 19 th birthday. Source: Department for Children, Schools and Families. Statistical first release: Children looked after in England (including adoption and care leavers) year ending 31 March 2009. Released 13 th of October 2009. Background statistics:

9. So, we had a research question, then what? We needed a protocol What’s a protocol? A guideline for how we will carry out the systematic review

10.  Hard discussions and decisions: –Which interventions? –What kinds of studies? –What kinds of outcomes? Key questions for writing the protocol:

11. Mental health Exclusion numbers Number of GCSEs/final year exams University/college/ further education/training Teachers’ reports Young people’s views/self report Employment Interventions to help looked after children stay in school On benefits Attendance Outcomes:

12. Not always clear what we were doing Compromises Time consuming Shifting membership was an issue A systematic review is in progress Learning Was it easy?