Research, Policy & Participation

includem+ Research, Policy & Participation

Includem Head of Research, Policy & Participation, Meg Thomas, and Chief Executive Martin Dorchester launch our School Covid report.

As a rights respecting organisation, children and young people’s participation in the design, development and improvement of our services is fundamental. We are committed to facilitating the voice, space, audience and influence children and young people need to have a say about the decisions that affect them and have worked with The Promise Partnership to embed this in our culture and practice.

We have carried out a number of research projects to hear directly from children, young people and families about the things that have the biggest impact on them, like COVID-19, poverty and their experience of school. Part of this involved the development of our peer research model, recruiting experts by experience to plan and carry out our research interviews.

We are committed to delivering the recommendations from our research in all our services and in influencing others to do the same. As part of this we are working with Education Scotland to realise the recommendations of our Schools Experience report by embedding restorative justice practices across all school relationships and ensure schools deliver rights-respecting practice for all.

The School Experience of Young People Pre & During Covid-19

Launched in August 2021, this report highlights the views of children and young people supported by includem across Scotland on their school experience before and during the various covid-19 lockdowns with recommendations including the identification of ‘one significant adult’ within the school.

Want to know more; click the image to read our full report.

VOICES: Families Experiences of Poverty & Services

Launched in November 2021, our latest report amplifies the voices of families supported by includem. With the use of Peer Researchers with lived experiences, families made clear calls which included that Services be built on relationship-based practice & working with the whole family – where and when they need it

Want to know more; click the image to read our full report

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