The Relations Study_v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Governing parental opioid use: a relational ethnography.
IRAS ID
279078
Contact name
Anne Whittaker
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Stirling
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 2 months, 30 days
Research summary
THE RELATIONS STUDY: PLAIN ENGLISH SUMMARY
Children and families affected by parental drug use include some of the most disadvantaged families in society. Parents often have severe health and social problems, and their children frequently end up in care. Families can be socially excluded, stigmatised and do not always receive the right kind of treatment and support. Improving health and social outcomes for these families is a key goal for services as well as for government.
The aim of this study is to better understand the treatment and care of parents who use drugs and their families from the perspective of parents, families, professionals and services. We will observe, interview and spend time with 30 families and 12 service providers across Scotland (primarily Lothian) and England (primarily London), to examine and compare systems of care, relations between families and services, professional practice and related outcomes for families.
We will review policies and practice guidelines on the care of parents who use drugs, to compare how policies differ across agencies and countries (Scotland/England) and how policy implementation affects parents and families.
The project will be supported by a 'Learning Alliance' public engagement stakeholder group, consisting of service managers, policymakers and families. The Learning Alliance will help the research team in all aspects of the project, including planning the research and responding to findings.
Study findings will benefit parents who use drugs and their families because they will help to show how services might better meet their needs. The study will also benefit professionals, services and policymakers, both in the UK and internationally, by producing new understandings about how existing policies and services may or may not be helping parents who use drugs and their families. Findings may lead to the development of new interventions to help families affected by parental drug use.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
21/NS/0029
Date of REC Opinion
30 Mar 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion