Is Participation a Way to Promote the Subjective Well-Being of Children in Out-of-Home Care? A Scoping Review

Abstract

Child participation in decisions concerning their own lives is a fundamental principle of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Nevertheless, children in out-of-home care frequently report limited involvement in decisions regarding residential or foster care arrangements. They emphasize that having close, individual relationships with caregivers serves as a protective factor for their well-being. This study aims to clarify what the literature reveals about the ways in which children’s voices, levels of involvement, and participation in decision-making within residential and foster care settings affect their well-being across various dimensions of daily life. A systematic scoping review was conducted to identify relevant research at the intersection of three key topics: children in out-of-home placements, participation, and well-being. Searches were performed across eleven scientific databases and publishers, resulting in the identification of ten recent studies published in international journals from which only three directly address the relationship between participation and well-being. The findings highlight a wide variation in how well-being and participation are conceptualized and measured. Nonetheless, participation clearly emerges as a significant means of promoting the well-being of children in out-of-home care. In practice, it is essential that child protection systems and the professionals prioritize creating time and opportunities for children to participate meaningfully, recognizing them as rights-holders with voices that deserve to be heard and respected. Moreover, further research is needed to investigate the factors that either hinder or facilitate the impact of participation in decision-making in order to promote the well-being of children in out-of-home care.