This literature review is a part of the larger five-objective study, a study about improving the system of timely identification and effective support of at-risk youth: life path lessons of youth in secure care facilities. One of the objectives of the study is to analyze other countries’ knowledge and practices related to early identification of children in need/at-risk and support (objective 5 as the literature review), firstly by studying main theoretical approaches to early identification of children in need/at-risk and support, and secondly, presenting country-based best practices of early identification of children in need/at-risk and support. In order to identify theoretical approaches and best practices, the literature review was performed following the principles of the PRISMA statement (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses, see methods section for the search strategy and screening). According to the data analysis, findings of the literature review is presented as following: theoretical approaches in early identification of children in need/at-risk and support; (ii) risk and protective factors of early identification of children in need/at-risk; (iii) risk factors leading to the child’s risk behaviour and protective factors supporting strengthening resilience; (iv) good practices of early identification of children in need/at-risk and support system; and (v) country-based analysis – 3 + 2: UK, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands and Ireland. Descriptive summaries of evidence-based programs and models in these five countries are included in the appendix, also a general overview of best practices identified in other countries during the data analysis. You can read it HERE
