Barriers and Enablers Influencing the Implementation of Programs in Residential Out-of-Home Care: A Scoping Review

Residential out-of-home care (OoHC) delivers a wide range of programs and practices intended to support the emotional, social and developmental needs of children and young people (CYP). Yet many CYP continue to experience inequitable life outcomes, indicating implementation gaps. Implementation science offers systematic approaches to strengthen delivery of practices, including identifying the barriers and enablers that influence successful implementation. A scoping review was undertaken to identify the barriers and enablers influencing successful implementation of practices in residential OoHC. Eight electronic databases were searched from 1 January 2010 to 3 November 2025. Peer-reviewed primary studies reporting barriers and enablers to implementing practices in residential OoHC were included. Data charting and analysis were guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) using a framework analysis approach. CFIR was selected because it supports the systematic identification of barriers and enablers across systemic, organisational, individual, practice and process factors. Thirteen studies were included following screening of titles and abstracts (n = 7,225) and full texts (n = 349). Most studies were published between 2022 and 2025 (n = 10) and conducted in Australia (n = 6). Almost all studies (n = 12) reported determinants within the Characteristics of Individuals (e.g., capability), Inner Setting (e.g., relational connections), and Innovation (e.g., relative advantage) domains. Seven studies reported Implementation Process determinants (e.g., engaging CYP) and five reported Outer Setting determinants (e.g., policies and laws). Findings can inform implementation planning, capability-building and organisational and system supports to strengthen delivery of innovations in residential OoHC.