Dr Hugh McLaughlin University of Salford

Involving Young Service Users as Co-Researchers in Evaluating Service Provision: Perils, Potential and Potential Issues Dr Hugh McLaughlin University of Salford

Reasons for involving young people in research • Range and quality of data enhanced • YP speak a common language • YP raise issues with other young people they would not raise with an adult • YP have ownership of the findings • YP presenting own findings have greater impact • Article 12 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child • Self- confidence, self esteem and employability

Assumptive worlds behind involving children and young people • As objects • As subjects • As social actors • As active participants Christensen, P. and Prout, A (2002) ’Working with Ethical Symmetry in Social Research with Children,’ Childhood, 9(4): 477-97

Levels of Involvement • Tokenism • Consultation • Collaboration • Service User Controlled

Exemplar • NSPCC’s Young People’s Centres • CP system failing to meet needs of yp • Significant no. of yp tell no one of abuse • Current system in UK over-influenced by criminal justice system • One stop-shop

Research Aims • Recruit up to 8 young co-researchers • Provide young co-researchers with a structured programme in understanding research and to develop skills in research practice • To develop research instruments with young co-researchers • Collect, analyse data and identify generalisable conclusions and issues for practice and policy • Produce a written report • Publicise findings

Perils • Legal Issues • Recruitment • Training • Writing Up • Expect the unexpected • Timescales and resources

Ethical Considerations • Exploitation • Use and Valuing of Work • Informed Consent • Child Protection • Confidentiality • Unanticipated risks • Ethics Committee

Potential • 5 YPC’s • Documentation • Semi-structured interviews with yp and staff • Staff focus group • Mystery shopper exercise

Potential 2 • Reviewing progress, issues and ideas after each venue • Conference • Report • Meeting national managers • Action plan

Limitations • Methodology • Knowledge generated • More researcher than service user • Outcome v process • Not for everyone

Final Thoughts • Not a panacea • Preparation essential • Not ‘cheap’ • Hard work • Fun • Adds Value to research process

Useful Publications • Fraser, S. Lewis, V. Ding, S. Kellet, M. and Robinson, C. (eds.) (2004) Doing Research with Children and Young People, London: Sage • Kirby, P. (2004) A Guide to Involving Young People as Researchers, Eastleigh: Involve , www.invo.org.uk • Lewis, A. and Lindsay, G. (eds.) (2000) Researching Children’s Perspectives, Buckingham: Open University Press • McLaughlin, H (2006) Understanding Social Work Research, London: Sage, • McLaughlin, H. (forthcoming) Involving Young Service Users as Co-researchers: Possibilities, benefits and costs, British Journal of Social Work. • McLaughlin, H. (2005) Young service users as co-researchers: methodological problems and possibilities; Qualitative Social Work, 4: (2) 211-228. • McLaughlin, H. et al. (2004) Willing Participants, Community Care, 17-23rd March, p36-7 • Smith, R. Monaghan, M. and Broad, B. (2002) ‘Involving Young People as Co-Researchers’, Qualitative Social Work, 1 (2) 191-207

Dr Hugh McLaughlin University of Salford