Nine out of 10 children’s services experts in a trial of virtual reality (VR) technology to improve understanding of children who have experienced trauma, said that it could help improve the quality of care.

A 12-month trial led by Cornerstone VR with social care workers, alongside adoption and foster services across 30 local authorities, gave staff an immersive insight into the some of the traumatic experiences and domestic environments experienced by the vulnerable children in their care, helping staff to identify potential triggers.

As a result of the trial, 40 per cent said VR would help them make better decisions, while 40 per cent said it increased their understanding of the experiences and feelings of the children. A further 72 per cent said they would do things differently and 41 per cent said it would lead to changes in the way they speak to carers and adoptive parents.

Close to half of those who participated said VR could also result fewer cases of adoption breakdown, as well as aiding in the recruitment of adopters and foster carers, with 60 per cent saying participation in VR training could help attract more people.

Meanwhile, 90 per cent of children’s service workers said it would play a key role in providing a window into trauma and childhood emotions, thus helping to attract the right type of adopters and foster carers.

Helen Costa, chief executive of Cornerstone, said: “The outcomes for children who are in or have been in care are significantly worse than their peers across all key areas; education, health, career, rough-sleeping and mental health.

“The reasons for that are complex, but it is fundamentally about how we as adults and professionals get children on to the right path, quickly and with support, empathy and true understanding,” she continued, adding: “Using technology as a behaviour change tool has enormous potential for some of our biggest societal challenges – whether that be tackling knife crime, obesity, or climate change.”

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