Understanding the experience of out of authority educational placements for looked after children: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

For this thesis, qualitative research was carried out to explore the experiences of looked after children (LAC) in residential educational placements outside of their home local authority. The methodology for this research was Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). To gather the data for this research, four interviews were undertaken with LAC of secondary school age. All four participants were in residential educational placements outside of their home local authority. The interviews and analysis were carried out according to IPA guidelines, although some of the methods adopted deviated to some extent from a typical IPA approach. A diamond ranking activity was used in the interviews and in the analysis both by-person accounts and an analysis of themes across cases are presented. The incorporation of these methods in the research was influenced by an earlier consideration of the use of Q methodology for this study and the reasons for retaining these elements in this research are explored in later sections of this thesis. A number of themes emerged in the analysis, which are discussed in the chapter outlining the main research findings. The ideographic nature of this research means it is not possible to draw general conclusions from the findings. However, it is argued that this research is helpful for the reflective practice of professionals working with LAC in out of authority residential educational placements. A number of key areas for professional reflection are discussed in relation to supporting LAC in out of authority residential educational placements.