Opportunity for adoptive and special guardianship families (young people aged 12-25) to be heard
Family Routes is a brand-new, ground-breaking study about the lives of teenagers and young adults and their adoptive and special guardianship families. The research aims to give a voice to these families through interviews and questionnaires about family life, including things that are going well or things families might be struggling with. Questions ask about families, important relationships, school/college, wellbeing, and any support needs.
Registration is open to take part in the research if you live in England and one of the following is applicable:
- You are an adoptive parent or special guardian of a young person aged 12-25 years who came to live with you from foster or residential care in England.
- You are aged 12-25 and left care on an Adoption or Special Guardianship Order. Please note young people aged 12-17-years will need consent from an adoptive parent or special guardian before they can take part.
The study is funded by the Department for Education and is being run by Ecorys UK, in partnership with Professor Julie Selwyn at the Rees Centre (University of Oxford) and Ipsos. Previous similar studies have led to the government introducing new support for families like the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund and extra support in schools. It is hoped that many will take part, as families views and experience can make a difference to policy and practice.
The methods will be either:
- A family interview, with parents, special guardians and young people. This will last up to 2 hours with parents/carers, and around one hour with young people. Your family can choose to do the interview in person, via a video call or on the phone.
Or
- An online survey only which will take around 30 minutes for parents/carers and around 20 minutes for young people.
Everyone who takes part will receive a thank you voucher of £20 for taking part in a family interview or £10 if you complete the online survey only.
