Permanently Progressing? Building Secure Futures for Children in Scotland
Permanently Progressing? is the first study in Scotland to investigate decision making, permanence, progress, outcomes and belonging for 1,836 children who became ‘looked after’ at home, or were placed away from their birth parents when they were aged five and under in 2012-2013.
AFKA Scotland is working alongside the Universities of Stirling and Lancaster on this longitudinal research, which is planned to have three phases. The study analyses administrative data, surveys and interviews to consider children’s experiences, their routes and times to different forms of permanence, and what supports wellbeing. It is the largest longitudinal study in the UK looking at permanence. Phase 1 ran from 2014-18, and involved a team from the Universities of Stirling, York, and Lancaster in collaboration with AFKA Scotland.
Phase 2 (2020-2024) is revisiting the children in middle childhood to see where they are and how they are doing. It is being jointly funded by a philanthropic donor and the Nuffield Foundation. In Phase 1, 19 local authorities participated in surveys and interviews. An even higher number of local authorities have opted to participate in Phase 2, so the research team would like to say a big thank you to all those who have been involved in sharing information about the study. This Phase was named Research Project of the Year at the 2025 Herald Higher Education Awards.
NEW PHASE, NEW FUNDING
Phase 3 (2026-2030) has received almost £500,000 in funding from the Nuffield Foundation and £200,000 from a philanthropic donor which will run for four years. Phase 3 will be another deep dive into the lives of the same cohort of young people, this time tracking them through adolescence and early adulthood. It will build on previous phases to give a dynamic and textured picture of their lives over time and provide a platform for future phases.
Researchers will draw on administrative data, and surveys and interviews with young people, parents and caregivers, as well as focus groups with professionals. The findings will make a difference to the lives of care-experienced children, young people, and their families by providing a robust evidence base for policy and practice.
The study lead, Dr Helen Whincup of the University of Stirling, said: “Phases 1 and 2 of Permanently Progressing? have already had an impact on policy and practice and we are so pleased to have secured funding for a third phase of this important study. The team and I are really looking forward to revisiting the young people, parents, and caregivers who we previously met, and to recruiting new participants.”
Resources from Phases 1 & 2 are available below.
Resources – Phase 1
- Permanently Progressing study website
- Phase 1 Reports
- Phase 2 Reports
- Annual Update on Permanently Progressing Phase 2 Spring 2023_
Resources – Phase 2
- Final Report
- Executive Summary
- Birth Parents Summary
- Childrens Summary
- Policy-Briefing
- Short Summary
Please read our Permanently Progressing Phase 3 update 2026
Please read our Spring 2024 Annual Update for further information.