Identifying Perspectives on Life Story Work with Looked-after and Adopted Children

Life story work is a widely used intervention in adoption and fostering. Despite being
recommended for use with all children in the care system, the outcomes are underresearched.
This review systematically evaluates the scope of the current research into life
story work in the looked-after population, investigating the processes used in practice and
the benefits and limitations of these approaches. The findings of this review suggest that
life story books are a predominant tool within the process of life story work alongside
direct work with social care professionals, foster carers and adoptive parents. Although
qualitative studies have found many benefits to these varied approaches to life story work,
there are limitations to these studies. The findings do not directly correspond with the
findings of quantitative studies that have evaluated life story work and have indicated little
benefit. Life story work varies in how it is conducted and further research is needed to
examine the key components of effective life story work