The participation of vulnerable children in photographic research

Abstract

This article explores the efficacy of using photographic participatory research methods among vulnerable groups, specifically vulnerable children and young people. Innovative methods, such as visual participatory techniques can help children who might otherwise be left out of research studies that could have important consequences for their lives, and the lives of their families. The reason for their omission from such studies lies precisely in their vulnerability – their lives are often difficult and painful and, in empirical terms, these children are hard to reach and often do not have the necessary verbal skills and confidence to take part in conventional qualitative methods that use, for example, interview techniques. Drawing on photographic research evidence from children and young people themselves, this article explores the ways in which the participation of children in visual research studies can help to transform children's life experiences.

Notes

[1] Young carers are children and young people under the age of 18 who provide care, assistance or support to another family member. Young carers carry out, often on a regular basis, significant or substantial caring tasks and assume a level of responsibility which would usually be associated with an adult. The person receiving care is often a parent, but can be a sibling, grandparent or other relative who is disabled, has some chronic illness, mental health problem or other condition connected with a need for care, support or supervision (see Becker 2000, 378).

[2] Outputs from the study included a web-based gallery of the children's photographs as well as a final report, also available electronically (see: www.ycrg.org.uk).