We are delighted to have been contacted by several Safeguarders who have expressed interest in taking part in the research, and we are really looking forward to meeting everyone and getting started. Recruitment for the project is still ongoing, so if you are a current Safeguarder and would like to get involved, then please do get in touch with the researchers (Dr Barbara Schuler, b.a.schuler1@stir.ac.uk). As we would like to ensure that a range of views and experiences are included, we are looking for Safeguarders from across Scotland and with different backgrounds and levels of experience. After we have reached decisions about participant selection and the next steps, we will update all potential participants.

Getting involved and next steps

Please have a look at the Participant Information Sheet and our electronic Informed Consent form. These provide details about the project and what it involves, including the time commitment. This will typically involve 3 short interviews, either in person, online or a combination. Dates/times/places are all flexible. If you would like to take part or have any questions, please contact Dr Barbara Schuler, Research Fellow, who will be happy to discuss the project with you (b.a.schuler1@stir.ac.uk).

Involvement in this research project raises some important, fundamental questions around confidentiality. Namely, how can Safeguarders, as data controllers, share their experience of reaching a decision about “the best interests of the child” if they can’t discuss the specifics of the case they are involved in?

The answer to this is that Safeguarders are legally able to participate in the research as long as they do not share personally identifiable information with the research team. The advice is that Safeguarders should not share:

• Any names of any people, including children, family members, social worker, Children’s Reporter or any other professional or volunteer;
• Any names of any location regarding a child or family (e.g. where they live, child’s school, where a Hearing is held;
• Any age of any person. Age ranges could be used if necessary (e.g. 0-5, 6-11, 12-15)
• Any personal information which could lead to the identification of a person or people

The research team are committed to ethical practice and take confidentiality very seriously, and have considerable experience in ensuring that data is handled in a secure and appropriate manner. Further, an Advisory Group provides advice and recommendations to the research team regarding any ethical issues that may arise.

Scottish Government have confirmed that Safeguarders are able to engage with this research. The basis of this decision derives from the following documents:

Practice Standard 5: Confidentiality https://www.children1st.org.uk/media/8294/spt-practice-standards.pdf
Section 182 of the Children’s Hearings (Scotland) 2011 Act https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2011/1/section/182; and

Rule 9 of the 2013 Rules of Procedure (The Children’s Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2013/194/article/9