Ethical considerations

The study adopted a sound ethical framework based on SPRU’s code of practice. This has been informed by the Social Research Association’s Ethical Guidelines 2003, the Data Protection Act 1998 and Departmental guidance on Research Governance. SPRU also follows the University of York’s Code of Good Practice for Research, see the following link:

http://www.york.ac.uk/research/policy/code_of_practice_research.htm

SPRU has an established record of successfully researching social work services for vulnerable groups of children and has a reputation for conducting high quality, ethically sound research in this environment. Formal ethical approval for the study was sought from the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS), the Humanities and Social Sciences Ethics Committee at the

University of York and from research governance committees in the seven local authorities. An advisory group was established for the overall study to advise on, amongst other things, ethical issues that arose during the course of the project.

The collection of summary data for the national survey and for mapping local data on SGOs (from case files) was undertaken with complete anonymity. For the intensive study, each case was given a project code and the local authority retained the link between this and the unique Child Identifier for that case. Our invitation materials were routed through children’s services to special guardians. Our consent forms sought permission to (a) send a questionnaire and (b) to link data from the questionnaire to the case file. Only once consent had been provided were we able to link case file and questionnaire data to provide a complete case study. The anonymous case file data collected on non-respondents was used to (a) provide baseline and outcome information for a larger sample and (b) to investigate potential sampling bias between those who responded and those who did

not. Given the constraints of time and resources for this project, this was the most practical solution for meeting the objectives set for this study that was consistent with data protection requirements.

All participants (special guardians and children where applicable) were sent leaflets explaining the purpose of the research, what their involvement would entail and what would happen to the

information they provided. Guarantees were also provided with respect to the handling, storage and subsequent use of data in line with data protection legislation. At the time of interview, this information was reiterated and it was made clear to interviewees that they could withdraw consent at any stage and that, if any questions caused discomfort, they were at perfect liberty not to

answer or to take a break from the interview. A guarantee of confidentiality was provided to all participants and it was made clear that no agencies, professionals, carers or children would be identified in any products of this research. In this light, some case study material has been altered to protect identities and any names used in the text are entirely fictitious. The only exception to the confidentiality guarantee would be in circumstances where a child was reported to be at significant risk of harm. This was made clear at the outset of interviews and in the advanced information sent to participants. A Link Officer was identified in each authority for the research team to relate to if this situation arose. Fortunately, it did not.

2.8.1 Data security

The personal details of special guardians and children were only held with their consent. The names and work contact details of professionals who assisted with data collection and who participated in the telephone interviews were stored securely (separate from any information they provided) and were only used for the purposes for which it had been gathered.

SPRU has clear procedures in place to ensure the highest standards of data management and data security. All data were stored in password-protected computer files in a secure central University file store. Data was backed-up as soon as it were obtained, and then weekly, in a password-protected file on the main project computer. The University computing network is protected from viruses and data piracy by various virus checkers and firewalls. This also ensures the security of the data held on the project computers. No-one outside the research team and transcription service had access to the research data. SPRU has used the same transcription service for many years and transcribers are subject to written confidentiality agreements. Manual files are securely held in locked cabinets in a locked office at York and never removed from the office. Personal details of research participants are held in password-protected computer files in a secure central University file store, stored separately from any other data on them.

2.9 Summary

This study has investigated the development of Special Guardianship over the past eight years and has followed-up a sample of Special Guardianship families over a period of three to six years after their SGOs had been made. We have made use of national datasets and carried out a survey of all English local authorities. The intensive study focused on the experiences of 230 Special Guardianship families in seven English local authorities. It has described and assessed

their experiences through a combination of surveys, case file analysis and interviews. The study involved a number of phased stages.

Phase 1: Combined a national survey and secondary analysis of national administrative datasets.