“Adding Their Flavour to the Mix”: Involving Children and Young People in Care in Research Design

Abstract

Children and young people are often the subjects of research but are not usually thought of as codesigners of research projects contributing to the development of tools and resources so that research about them and their peers is more likely to be appropriate and effective. This paper describes and analyses the involvement of a group of 14 children and young people who have been in out-of-home care. They assisted in the design of a research project that sought their views on what makes a “good” foster carer. The impetus for this study arose from a desire to include children and young people as stakeholders in improving the foster care system and a long-held belief that they could and should be active partners in creating change. The study demonstrated how children and young people could be engaged creatively in individual and group conversations and activities in relation to potential research questions and research methods and tools. The paper concluded that capturing their views will ensure that research will be of benefit to other children and young people and to policy makers and practitioners working in the field.

Keywords:

• Research Design
• Children Centred Research
• Children and Young People
• Out of Home Care
• Foster Care
• Youth Participation

Acknowledgements

The author recognises Kenny, Tae, Darl, Frog, Spec, Sas, Poe, Lala, Annie, Cheal, Jangeo, B1, Neil, and Donny for their participation and important contribution to this project. This paper is dedicated to the memory of two of these young people who unfortunately did not live to see their words published. The author also thanks Professor Rosamund Thorpe and Dr Jane Thomson for their support and guidance in the preparation of this paper. The content presented in this document results from James Cook University higher degree research. The content does not create, intend to create or be relied upon to create any rights, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law by any party in any matter civil or criminal. Opinions or points of view expressed in this document do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the Queensland Government. The findings discussed in this document are presented for informational purposes only and do not constitute approval or necessary endorsement by the Queensland Department of Communities.