Family Wellbeing Partnership in Clackmannanshire: evaluation

Annex C: Ethical Sensitivities and Data Protection

Ethics have been given prime consideration in this evaluation work. Ensuring the confidentiality of participants is of the highest importance. The project team has followed the protocols of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Research Ethics Policy and the Ethics Guidance for SG Social Policy Researchers, with respect to handling sensitive information, consent and clarity of the uses and objectives of the research. The project team has complied with data protection regulations (GDPR and Data Protection Act 1998) with regard to the collection, processing, storage and destruction of data. Maximum effort has been made, through clear and open-ended communication, to ensure participants understand the purpose of the research and their role within it. For example, the surveys have included a section on the use of the research and full consent will be sought for interviews.

This project aims to actively involve service user voice within the evaluation. This comes with several ethical considerations and risks that will be managed and mitigated. The research team anticipates that service users may have an experience of trauma or other sources of previous emotional harm. Throughout the interview process, in order to create a safe space for discussion, all participants will be reassured of their anonymity, their right to withdraw and that the interview would be conducted at their own pace. As mental health first aid-trained researchers, the evaluation team are cognisant of signs of potential distress, and how to support people experiencing distress and signpost them to further resources. The team are also cognisant of safeguarding protocols (see below) should there be a risk of harm. Finally, the research team are aware of the potential of consultation fatigue, and will seek to offer flexibility should interviewees need to reschedule, and clarity around how the information will be used in the report.

Informed Consent

Due to the nature of this evaluation project, it will be necessary to gain informed consent of each participant taking part in interviews for the project. During participant recruitment, participants will be given an information pack, which will be made available via email. Within this pack, the following documents will be present:

• Information sheet
• Informed consent form
• Demographic questionnaire

The information sheet (see Annex D) details the purpose, scope and nature of the proposed data collection activity. Signposting information will be given, as well as a data storage and retention statement as set out in Horizons Research policy. The information sheet reminds participants of their right to withdraw from the study. After they receive their information pack, they are then invited to complete: (1) the informed consent form, which includes statements around understanding the study information, consenting to being a voluntary participant, understanding that data will be confidential, and that data can be withdrawn (see Annex D); and (2) a demographic questionnaire, which is voluntary and helps capture equalities and demographic data for the project. Once a completed consent form is received by the team, scheduling and confirmation of the interviews will take place, taking into account availability of participants and the need to maintain safe service delivery.

Impact of Research on Participants

Due to the nature of semi structured interviews, emotional distress is a possibility for both participants and the researchers involved. To minimise this risk, several steps will be implemented. Firstly, during the interviews and focus groups, participants will be reminded of their right to not answer any questions within the interview without providing reason. Our team of researchers are adept at conducting interviews sensitively and supportively. As qualitative researchers, the team follows university best practice guidelines, placing an emphasis on safety, accessibility and wellbeing, to ensure that emotional distress is reduced as far as possible, including taking breaks.

Secondly, some participants (notably, service users) were provided with an invitation to debrief following their interview. This debrief session was conducted with the researcher themselves, or via a Debrief Form (see Appendix D). Debrief information included clear signposting information to relevant organisations, including counselling, mental health support, and other appropriate services.

Third, to reduce any stresses related to privacy and confidentiality, we will make clear to participants during the consent-obtaining phase and at the start of the interview that data will be anonymised, so that identifying information would be removed from interview transcripts and deliverables. Participants will also be clearly reminded of their right to anonymity, and their right to withdraw from the project (with data deleted).

Protocols are in place on what to do should a participant be at risk of harm. Due to the nature of the topic, participants will not be given promises of unconditional confidentiality if the researcher was concerned about their safety or the safety of others. If the participant discloses information that raised concerns, the researcher would follow the safeguarding and reporting policy set out by Horizons Research.