Hearty Lives (Liverpool): a case study

This article discusses the growing body of evidence on the importance of health for looked after children and young people and evaluates a project, Hearty Lives (Liverpool), designed to produce positive results. Unhealthy weight and lifestyles are significant issues for young people in care, whether living at home with parents under the supervision of social services, with foster carers or in residential homes, as there is a close relationship between food, nutrition and family connectedness. Following the principles of Appreciative Inquiry, the evaluation uses a case study approach to explore the learning and experiences of those involved in the intervention. The learning gained provides useful insights for practitioners and organisations who are interested in developing similar projects elsewhere