A2 Refereed review article in a scientific journal

Integrated residential childcare – facilitators and barriers for collaboration between residential care and mental health care: a systematic review




AuthorsTimonen-Kallio, Eeva; Kraav, Siiri-Liisi; Kaittila, Anniina; Leinonen, Leena; Alin, Minna; Karukivi, Max; Anis, Merja

PublisherTaylor & Francis Group

Publication year2025

JournalNordic Social Work Research

ISSN2156-857X

eISSN2156-8588

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1080/2156857X.2025.2554877

Web address https://doi.org/10.1080/2156857x.2025.2554877

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/500423258


Abstract

The severe mental health problems of the many youths living in out-of-home care place demands on integrated care between the residential childcare (RCC) sector and the mental health care sector. Thus, all available resources and the professional expertise of both sectors must be coordinated to ensure adequate care. This is problematic as research highlights that reconciling the different working cultures and professional intentions of the residential childcare and mental health care sectors is perceived as difficult. As such, the purpose of this systematic review is to synthesize the evidence from studies on facilitators and barriers of integrated care practices. A literature search, limited to articles published in English between 2016 and 2022, was conducted of seven databases. Seven studies were included in the review. Information-sharing systems, structured models and joint training are suggested as bases for promoting integrated care. Interestingly, although the frontline practitioners in the residential care and mental health care sectors (social educators, nurses, care workers, etc.) play a crucial role in the implementation of integrated care, research on inter-sectoral and indeed inter-professional care is scarce. More detailed research on the factors that facilitate integrated residential care is needed. This knowledge is valuable, particularly in the Nordic high-level training system, as it reflects how we should promote inter-professional learning processes and internships to better understand and appreciate the capabilities and priorities of other professionals and service providers to ensure better outcomes for youth. This review has implications for staff standards and for residential childcare workers’ professional competencies.


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Funding information in the publication
This study is a part of the LANUPS project (https://sites.utu.fi/sote/co-research-and-co-creation-of-child-welfare-social-work-andadolescent-psychiatry-in-western-and-eastern-finland-researchproject-lanups/), which was funded by the Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.


Last updated on 2025-02-10 at 14:25