Jennifer Mooney|Karen Winter|Paul Connolly
Effects of a book gifting programme on literacy outcomes for foster children: A randomised controlled trial evaluation of the Letterbox Club in Northern Ireland
Queen's University Belfast|Queen's University Belfast|Queen's University Belfast
poor educational outcomes children care significant concern internationally whilst many interventions developed address problem rigorously evaluated article presents findings randomised controlled trial sought measure effectiveness book gifting programme letterbox club aims improve literacy skills amongst children aged 711 years foster care programme involves children receiving six parcels books sent post sixmonth period trial ran april 2013 june 2014 involved sample 116 children northern ireland 56 randomly allocated intervention group 60 waiting list control group outcome measures focused reading skills reading accuracy comprehension rate attitudes reading school trial found evidence bookgifting programme effect outcomes measured drawing upon emergent themes accompanying qualitative process evaluation sought determine foster carerchild attitude towards engagement parcels suggested one plausible reason ineffectiveness letterbox club intimated carers children rather explicitly explored lack support provided carerschildren relation packs received reflective ecological model childrens development recommended bookgifting programmes effective need include focus encouraging direct involvement foster carers shared literacy activities children using books gifted