A systematic review of ethnic representation in UK research involving children and young people living in care

Journal article

A substantial and growing number of children in care in the UK are of minoritised ethnicities. Increasing evidence of inequalities faced by the UK’s children in care from different ethnic groups highlights the need for research that represents the ethnic diversity of children in care. This systematic review aimed to determine the frequency and manner of ethnicity reporting amongst studies of children in care in the UK from 2012-2024. Seven databases across multiple disciplines were searched, which led to the identification and inclusion of 196 papers. Over half the included studies (51.5%) did not report sample ethnicity data. There was notable variation in the style of ethnicity reporting: binary (e.g., White and non-White) and multiple categories (e.g., Asian, Black, Mixed, Other, White) were the most common approaches. Where ethnicity was reported, we found similar numbers of studies with samples under- and over-representing White or non-White children in care. We explore explanations for low rates of ethnicity reporting amongst studies including children in care in the UK and the limited research investigating differences in outcomes of children in care of different ethnicities. Recommendations are made for future research practice, including reflections on the role of data harmonisation.

Authors: Maryam, J; Sprecher, E; Carter, B; Elhassan, L; Hiller, R

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Journal: British Journal of Social Work
• Volume: 55
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 2676–2695
• Publication date: 2025-03-31
• Acceptance date: 2025-02-27
• DOI: 10.1093/bjsw/bcaf066
• EISSN: 1468-263X
• ISSN: 0045-3102
• Language: English
• Keywords: demographics; ethnicity; minoritised ethnicities; intersectionality; looked after children; children in care