This article draws on the authors’ experiences of undertaking health and social research involving children in Australia and England and focuses on securing the informed consent of children to participate in such research. A clear trend within literature, service provision, legislation and international conventions recognizes children as ‘active beings’ in all aspects of their lives. The services that are the focus of the research and evaluation projects in which the authors have been involved sought to empower children as active agents and decision-makers. Crucially, not only were these services available directly to children without requiring parental permission, but many children were also accessing these services without their parents’ knowledge. However, when it came to researching and evaluating users’ experiences of these services, the authors faced the problem that existing research gatekeeping systems tended to construct children as dependent, in need of protection and as ‘human becomings’. The authors found that research ethics committees would permit the research to take place only if both the child’s informed consent and that of his or her parents was obtained. The authors outline the implications of such dilemmas, which may not only be counter productive in terms of research objectives but also risk failing to afford children rightful regard in contemporary society. While the authors conclude that there are no quick fixes to the resolution of such dilemmas, they believe that researchers need to engage with the gatekeepers of research to ensure that the laudable effort to protect potentially vulnerable participants avoids overprotection, paternalism and the further disenfranchisement of already marginalized young people.
This study explored the experiences of 42 families in three Local Authorities in Northern England in 2009. Out of the families involved, 25 highlighted domestic abuse and mental health issues, and 21 identified drug or alcohol issues as impacting negatively on their parenting. Most parents had positive experiences of help with drug / alcohol issues, and many were motivated to overcome their problems by a desire to continue (or resume) looking after their children. Parents experiencing domestic abuse or allegations of child sexual abuse were less positive. Parents had a clear understanding of the responsibilities of Child Protection social workers. Three-quarters of families were able to identify positive qualities in the professionals who supported them; they had a positive view of inter-agency communication. They did not expect an equal role in decision making. Parents' and professionals' views tended to converge over time.Absorbing information at the start of the process was difficult for many parents. Most found Case Conferences daunting and intimidating, and reports often reached them too late. Parents were critical of assessments using a deficit model; they received too little therapeutic help for themselves and their children.
This small-scale research project used semi-structured interviews and a 'Draw and Write' technique to explore the views of parents / carers and children and young people about the impact of parental substance use and implications for services. Most adult participants had recognised their need for help and had obtained treatment for their drug / alcohol use. Children were aware of the emotional turmoil caused by their parents' substance use; social workers were important people in their lives. Families in the study either needed substantial help from their extended family, or from Social Services (now Children's Social Care), or both. Most parents were ambivalent or self-critical about their abilities as parents and had tried to combine their substance use with ensuring that the basic needs of their children had been met. Access to methadone prescriptions had helped stabilise the lives of parents who had previously been heroin users. Parents' wish to look after their children properly, or to resume their care, was a powerful motivator for them to stop using drugs / alcohol. Children, who displayed considerable resilience, were largely aware of parental substance use and its impact on family life. Implications for professionals supporting substance-using families are highlighted.
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Physical activity providers need to be able to generate opportunities which allow children of any weight status to participate without fear of stigmatization or bullying. The findings of the current study suggest that to be effective what we should be focusing on is improving the physical activity experience from the child's perspective.
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