Introduction

This information sheet is to help you decide if you would like to take part in this research project being led by Nesta. It describes what the research is about and what it will involve. Please take time to read this information carefully. You can contact a member of the research team if you have any questions.

The purpose of this research

Thrive at Five is a new project that aims to ensure every child has the best start in life. It is a partnership between Thrive at Five and the Stoke on Trent City Council. Two other organisations, Nesta and Dartington Service Lab, are also involved in the research and development of Thrive at Five in Stoke.

Nesta are looking to speak with families who have experience of having young children in Bentilee and Abbey Hulton. We want to understand more about your experiences of being a parent/carer, and what kinds of support you need and would like for your family.

We hope that this research helps us to better understand the experiences of families with young children so that we can explore how services and available support can be improved.

When and where will the research take place?

Interviews will take place over the phone and last for no more than 45 minutes.

You will be able to choose a timeslot from 10am-6pm Monday-Friday between the 16th of August and 8th of September.

Who can be involved?

We would like to speak to any parents/carers who have experience of having young children in Bentilee and Abbey Hulton.

What you will be asked to do

You will receive a call from a Nesta researcher at the time slot of your choice that will last 30-45 minutes.

The researcher will ask a number of questions on topics including your family routine, your experience using local services, and your priorities when thinking about support and services for your child. There are no right or wrong answers - we are interested in hearing about your own experiences.

We will also share the findings of our research with all the parents/carers who take part.

What is the benefit of taking part?

Your answers will be used to help the Thrive at Five project better understand the experiences of families with young children so that we can explore how services and available support can be improved.

Parents/carers who take part in this research will receive a £20 gift card from Love2shop to thank you for your time.

What will happen to the results of the research project?

The information you share with us will be used alongside our interviews with other parents/carers to help us think about how services and support in Stoke could be improved. They will be used by Nesta, Dartington Service Lab, Thrive at Five and Stoke on Trent City Council. The findings will also be used to write a report but we will not include any information which could identify you as the respondent in the report.

Keeping your information and identity safe and secure

Information collected from you will not be connected with you as an individual, except by a code which is only available to the research team. When the research is included in a report which can be read by others, participants will be given a different name (a pseudonym) and all identifying information will be removed.

All personal data will stay confidential to the interviewer and authorised staff from Nesta. All personal data will be destroyed once the study is completed (by 31st October).

The only situation in which personal information may be shared outside of the research team is where there is a requirement to do so by law or where you or others may be at risk.

In the event that a recording is made of your interview Nesta may share an electronic copy of that recording with a third party for the purposes of transcription and further analysis. You will not be able to be identified from the recording and there will be appropriate legal agreements in place between Nesta and the third party to ensure that the data is shared in accordance with all relevant legal requirements.

You can read Nesta’s Privacy Policy here

Your right to withdraw from this study

Your participation in this study is voluntary - this means that you only need to take part if you want to.

You have the right to withdraw from this research at any time and you do not need to explain why.

You can end the interview early if you wish to stop.

You can ask that your data is taken out of the study and the research report. If you should wish to withdraw your data, you would need to let us know by 10th September 2021. After this point the report will be finalised and it will be too late to change it.

If you wish to withdraw your consent please contact:

Alex Porter, Analyst - A Fairer Start, Nesta - [email protected] (07445 554801)

If you should want further information

If you have any questions, concerns or would like further information, please contact:

Alex Porter, Analyst - A Fairer Start, Nesta - [email protected] (07445 554801)

or

Helen Wales, Mission Manager - A Fairer Start, Nesta - [email protected]

To find out about your rights under data protection law, you can go to the Information Commissioners Office (ICO)