computer assisted self interviewing CASI with vulnerable children

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computer assisted self interviewing (CASI) with
vulnerable children
SSRG annual workshop 2006

• Alun Morgan
• Faculty of Health Social Care
• The Open University
• Murray Davies
• The Viewpoint Organisation

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objectives for workshop

• to present a method of data collection, used for
  consulting and facilitating participation with
  young people.
• to explore how this method can be further
  developed and applied, to improve service
  delivery.

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programme for workshop

• what is CASI and audio-CASI?
• using audio-CASI for sensitive data collection
• audio-CASI application viewpoint interactive
• participation principles, methods, issues
• The Open University audio-CASI vulnerable
  children research project
• discussion

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what is audio-CASI technical description

• audio-CASI questionnaire delivered on a
  computer.
• interviewee wears headphones questions and
  responses spoken by computer, has on-screen
  assistants poor literacy not really a
  disadvantage.
• can have individual profiles included, so
  computer appears to know the interviewee
  personally.
• questions can be multiple-choice or free text.
• subject retains the locus of control in
  interview.
• data is collected electronically, can be
  completed on stand-alone computer, or on-line.
• can include time-limited breaks for computer
  games.

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using audio-CASI for sensitive data collection

• audio-CASI can have a substantial effect on the
  willingness of people to report stigmatizing or
  embarrassing information used in many
  applications world-wide e.g. surveys on drugs,
  sexual behaviour, lifestyle choices.
• computers are familiar to YP, give illusion of
  neutrality, and are universally available.
• YP like the methodology (research subjects
  running to data collection instrument!).
• quantitative and qualitative data, available
  immediately, for analysis for feedback.

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audio-CASI application viewpoint interactive

• designed with children in mind also online
  option.
• used in one-third of local authorities (England
  Wales).
• used in
• LAC CP reviews, core assessments
• service quality monitoring
• Youth Justice (substance misuse monitoring)
• education bullying surveys, self-esteem surveys
• children with disabilities
• service planning
• participation e.g. YP statistics to Elected
  Members.
• enables difficult things to be said more safely,
  to be heard more effectively, and to be acted
  upon more accurately.

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participation

• audio-CASI is useful for consultation but can
  it also contribute to participation?

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participation principles

• participation the process of sharing decisions
  which affect ones life, and the community in
  which one lives (Willow, 2002).
• listening, valuing, respecting rights.
• promoting achievement, development, learning.
• promoting processes for complaints, inspection.
• YP sharing decisions to highest level
  possible.
• providing feedback, on difference made.
• many government initiatives principles
  incorporated in HRAct (1988) EdAct (2002) H
  Soc Care Act (2001) Children Acts (1989, 2004)
  Leaving Care Act (2000), etc.

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participation methods

• models from, consultation (can be tokenistic?),
  to peer education and peer-research.
• youth work, in YPs community/cultural context.
• photography, drama, music, dance, video,
  groupwork, youth forums.
• involvement in individual assessments/reviews.
• Youth Parliament (annual sitting, 1st was 2001).
• focus groups, inspections, surveys, audio-CASI.
• joint training with staff.
• YP training/interviewing for staff appointments.

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participation issues

• fear of power/control issues in giving info.
• YP may distrust motives of adults.
• poor experiences of tokenistic participation,
  with favourites, has negative impact on
  self-esteem of vulnerable YP.
• staff often feel poorly trained in participation
  practice, and in assessing Gillick competence.
• staff, agencies gov set unrealistic
  timescales.
• how its done (process), is important to YP.
• being involved in research is important to YP.
• not often linked with outcomes (SCIE 2004).
• significant management and organisational
  culture change required, to sustain
  participation.

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CASI vulnerable children research project

• The Open University pilot-study of childrens
  services in
• Hertfordshire, and
• Newcastle
• examining impact of the application of
  audio-CASI in facilitating participation.
• using audio-CASI and focus groups, to collect
  data from young people and from managers.

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CASI vulnerable children research
projectHertfordshire

• dedicated Participation Team relationship with
  child is central to participation relationship.
• use audio-CASI with 300 LAC p year 75 take up
  rate.
• LAC offered to every YP, reviews 1x p year and
  a important transitions.
• dedicated participation assistants taking
  laptops to YP in association with Independent
  reviewing team.
• Childrens Fund projects use audio-CASI for up
  to 1,900 per year.
• planned use for Ofsted inspections up to 5,000
  to 10,000, YP p.a.
• participation methods include Focus groups,
  drama workshops, Independent Reviewing
  complaints systems, annual workshops, inspections
  to residential units, life story work,
  audio-CASI.
• other plans to use audio-CASI with
• YP, 4-6 yr olds.
• Parents Carers
• Child Protection reviews
• Family Network meetings
• Common Assessment system
• Data fed in directly to service planning cycle

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CASI vulnerable children research
projectNewcastle

• audio-CASI initiative led by Childrens
  Standards Manager.
• used with almost 100 of looked after YP, before
  every statutory review to bring view of YP to
  their review. (440 LAC, in Newcastle).
• have 2 full-time participation assistants
  collecting data on laptops crucial to process.
• meta-data from audio-CASI not yet integrated
  fully into service planning.
• have some one-off participation events, but
  limited coordination of participation activity.
• plans to appoint a participation manager 2006.
• clear view that audio-CASI has made a
  substantial difference to YP in their feeling
  involved in the process of their care.

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discussion

• what mechanisms and methods are used in your
  organisation, for service user participation?
• would an audio-CASI approach be a feasible and
  useful additional method for you, if you are not
  using it already?
• how is the data collected currently, from
  consultation and participation, used by managers
  to improve services in your organisation?

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end
Alun Morgan Faculty of Health Social Care The
Open University a.morgan_at_open.ac.uk Murray
Davies The Viewpoint Organisation murray_at_vptorg.co
.uk software demo www.vpt.org.uk