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):

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, 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) McLaughlin, H. et al. (2004) Willing Participants, Community Care, rd March, p36-7 Smith, R. Monaghan, M. and Broad, B. (2002) ‘Involving Young People as Co-Researchers’, Qualitative Social Work, 1 (2)