What is it about?
This study highlights the complex, multilevel barriers that professionals face when delivering integrated care to children under 5 in TA. Findings are organised using a framework that distinguishes between practice-level, organisational and systemic challenges. From siloed working practices and limited training to staffing shortages and restrictive data-sharing policies, these challenges collectively hinder service continuity and collaboration.
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Why is it important?
STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS OF THIS STUDY The study included diverse professionals from health, housing and social care across England, enhancing relevance and transferability. Semistructured interviews were conducted with a detailed topic guide, allowing for consistency and rich, nuanced data collection. Limited staff availability due to the COVID-19 pandemic led to opportunistic rather than representative sampling. The study could not account for local variation in services or enable comparative regional analysis.
Perspectives
The international team writing this national scope article offered a broad applicability across England and strengthens the transferability of the findings beyond local contexts. The team were a pleasure to work with and we have long standing collaborations providing rich nuanced insights into barriers faced by researchers in this space.
Associate Professor Yvonne Karen Parry
Flinders University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Exploring barriers to integrated care for children under 5 living in temporary accommodation: a qualitative study of professionals’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic in England, BMJ Open, January 2026, BMJ,
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-106318.
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