Ethical Statement

This statement is endorsed by the research teams from:

De Montfort University
University of Essex
University of Newcastle
University of Nottingham
University of Sheffield

This statement has been informed by Codes of Ethics of the major social science professional associations and the ESRC's 'Code of Ethics for Social Work and Social Care Research' (see Butler 2002). The Network, as a whole, has agreed to conform to key ethical principles of which the following are seen as the most pertinent:

• Informed consent
• The rights of all research participants will be upheld (for example to privacy, to dignity and respect, to consultation, to non-exploitation from the research team). The research teams will take all reasonable precautions to ensure that participants are not harmed (for example, through stress or duress)
• Confidentiality
• Anonymity

The project teams will prepare information sheets for participants covering research objectives: voluntary participation and informed consent; what their involvement will entail; their freedom to decline to participate and to withdraw at any stage and confidentiality. In addition, the research teams will use written consent forms for children and, where appropriate, their parents. Briefings will also be given to key staff in the relevant agencies, along with the information sheet. Agency staff may also decline participation and clear boundaries will be observed between the role of agency staff and the researchers.

Parental consent: Where parental consent is required, relevant information will be provided for parents and written consent obtained on an amended version of the consent form. There is no presumption that 'in loco parentis' may be uncritically substituted for parental consent. It is recognised, however, that in some instances relationships with parents will be irretrievably broken and that it is more appropriate for guardians et al to provide consent. Regard will also be given to the age and maturity of children and young people approached for consent and the circumstances in which this is done.

Disclosures: It is anticipated that some research participants may disclose information that researchers would have a legal responsibility to pass on (e.g. where a child makes a disclosure of abuse or a participant discloses involvement in a serious crime). The research team have realised that, in such circumstances, confidentiality may be compromised. Participants will be informed before any instance of data collection commences of the circumstances in which disclosures may be acted upon.

Dissemination: The project is committed to the ESRC requirements for dissemination. This will, however, not involve the disclosure of personal information. Data will be anonymised through coding and stored in secure conditions. The team will not have access to written agency information about participants without their informed consent and only in those instances where it would add significantly to the research data.

Safety of Researchers: All employers have a 'duty of care' towards their employees. Each research team should therefore ensure that, as far as is reasonably possible, potential risks to research staff during fieldwork are minimalised and procedures are developed for responding to incidents in which the safety of a researcher may be compromised.

Data Protection: The procedures of the Data Protection Act will be fully complied with by all researchers.

Complaints: Research teams will make available to participants the contact details of a 'named person' to whom complaints about the conduct of the research should be sent.

Ethical codes consulted: British Association of Social Workers (1996) The Code of Ethics for Social Work. Birmingham: BASW.

British Association of Education Research.

British Sociological Association.

Butler, I. (2002) A Code of Ethics for Social Work and Social Care
Research. British Journal of Social Work, 32, 239-248.

City University London Academic Development and Services Informed consent form for project participants.
http://www.city.ac.uk/ads/ec/consent.htm
and Informed consent for parents/guardians of project participants.
http://www.city.ac.uk/ads/ec/parentconsent.htm

SCOUT BASE UK Young People First.

Child Protection procedures for district commissioners.
http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/hq
/child-protection/ypf.htm

Trinity Western University Guidelines for Research Consent forms (guidelines compiled from the website of the National Council of Ethics in Human Research).

Maurer, D. (1999) Sample consent form and checklist based on tri-council statement, ethical conduct for research involving humans.