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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Perils Legal Issues Recruitment Training Writing Up Confidentiality The unexpected Timescales and resources

8. Ethical Considerations Exploitation Use and Valuing of Work Child Protection Confidentiality Unanticipated risks Ethics Committee

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

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

11. Limitations? Methodology Process v outcome Knowledge generated More researcher than service user Outcomes v process

12. Final Thoughts Not a panacea Preparation essential Not ‘cheap’ Hard work Fun Legitimate form of social research – powerful messages

13. 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.ukLewis, A. and Lindsay, G. (eds.) (2000) Researching Children’s Perspectives, Buckingham: Open University Presswww.invo.org.uk 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 Research, 4: (2) 211-228. McLaughlin, H. et al. (2004) Willing Participants, Community Care, 17- 23 rd March, p36-7 Smith, R. Monaghan, M. and Broad, B. (2002) ‘Involving Young People as Co-Researchers’, Qualitative Social Work, 1 (2) 191-207