Children and Young People

In recent years, children and young people have been placed at the heart of the Scottish Government’s strategic objectives. The national outcomes for children and young people are to help every child achieve their full potential by removing social and economic barriers that might hamper development. The Getting it Right for every Child programme and the Early Years Framework are a clear indication of the Scottish Government’s commitment, in partnership with other public bodies, to achieve these outcomes.

Research on children and young people cuts across numerous policy areas, including education, health and wellbeing, parenting and childcare, deprivation, crime, equality, and community cohesion. As a result, research in this field involves various audiences, including:

parents, guardians and grandparents
teachers and other education officials
healthcare workers and professionals
youth and social workers
the police, courts and prison service
local authorities and community groups
other key stakeholders, public bodies and interest groups.

We have extensive experience of conducting research among all of these groups. Our recent projects include the Scottish Lifestyle and Substance Abuse Survey (SALSUS) of secondary school pupils in Scotland, a mixed method evaluation of the ‘You First’ initiative, and a survey of parents for Parenting Across Scotland (PAS).

Conducting research among children and young people requires a specialist approach. In addition to the legal and ethical issues surrounding research with children, researchers also have to take into account the way in which children view and interpret the world around them. This has implications for the research methods used and questions asked. We employ a variety of methods, such as paired depth interviews and mini-group discussions, to ensure that children feel safe and comfortable taking part in research, understand what is being asked of them and are encouraged to discuss their experiences and opinions.

Our ultimate aim is to conduct research that is sensitive to the variety of factors influencing the lives of children, young people and their families, and to provide results that are robust and reliable in informing the development of policy and strategy.

Below is a selection of our experience of conducting research among children and young people.

Current Projects

Evaluation of 'You First' Pilot Programme
In collaboration with the Centre for Research on Families and Relationships, based at the University of Edinburgh, we have been commissioned by the Scottish Government to undertake the evaluation of the ‘You First’ Pilot Programme - a parenting programme which has been developed by Barnardo’s Scotland to help improve outcomes for parents and their children in the most deprived areas in Scotland. The evaluation comprises both quantitative and qualitative research with parents, programme facilitators, programme managers, health visitors and other stakeholders. Analysis of administrative data containing the demographics of those who attend the programmes will also be undertaken.

Ipsos MORI contact: Jane Eunson. Tel: 0131 226 8676