This protocol summarises plans for a collaborative qualitative research study exploring the experiences of Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller children and young people living in kinship care.
It forms part of two new qualitative research projects designed to build a clearer understanding of how minoritised ethnic children experience kinship care, including their views on identity, belonging, cultural continuity, trust in services, and what shapes their access to support.
Too little is known about how children themselves experience kinship care. National data on the number of Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller children in kinship care is limited and often underreported. Existing evidence shows persistent disproportionality; Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller children are referred to children’s social care at significantly higher rates than all other ethnic groups and are more likely to progress to child protection processes or enter state care. Despite this, no research in England has directly heard from Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller children about their experiences of kinship care, which means that we have limited understanding about what matters to them, what challenges they face, or what support would make a difference for them and their families.
This study aims to address these gaps by working with around 30 children and young people aged 7–25. Using narrative interviews and creative activities across up to three sessions, peer researchers will support participants to share stories about their everyday lives. Findings will be analysed and shared in a final report.
The study will use creative, qualitative interviews to address the following research objectives:
RO1: Explore the lived experiences of kinship care for Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller children and young people, particularly those in informal kinship arrangements.
RO2: Explore how cultural, contextual and other social or systemic factors shape the needs, experiences and outcomes for Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller children and young people.
RO3: Understand the experiences of Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller children and young people in engaging with support services and barriers to this.
RO4: Explore what Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller children and young people in kinship care say they need to feel supported, respected and understood.
Rated 1: Set up and delivery is low cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of less than £100.
Rated 2: Set up and delivery is medium-low cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of £100–£499.
Rated 3: Set up and delivery is medium cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of £500–£999.
Rated 4: Set up and delivery is medium-high cost, equivalent to an estimated unit cost of £1,000–£2,000.
Rating 5: Set up and delivery is high cost. Equivalent to an estimated unit cost of more than £2,000.
Set up and delivery cost is not applicable, not available, or has not been calculated.
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Supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing child maltreatment: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Enhancing school achievement & employment: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing crime, violence and antisocial behaviour: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing substance abuse: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing risky sexual behaviour & teen pregnancy: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Preventing obesity and promoting healthy physical development: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient.
Rated 2: Has preliminary evidence of improving a child outcome from a quantitative impact study, but there is not yet evidence of causal impact.
Rated 2+: Meets the level 2 rating and the best available evidence is based on a study which is more rigorous than a level 2 standard but does not meet the level 3 standard.
Rated 3: Has evidence of a short-term positive impact from at least one rigorous study.
Rated 3+: Meets the level 3 rating and has evidence from other studies with a comparison group at level 2 or higher.
Rated 4: Has evidence of a long-term positive impact through at least two rigorous studies.
Rated 4+: Meets the level 4 rating and has at least a third study contributing to the Level 4 rating, with at least one of the studies conducted independently of the intervention provider.
Rating has a *: The evidence base includes mixed findings i.e., studies suggesting positive impact alongside studies, which on balance, indicate no effect or negative impact.
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