Research in Practice is inviting professionals across England to contribute to a new study exploring the implementation and impact of recognising care experience as a protected characteristic at a local level.
More than 100 local councils have now passed motions recognising care experience as a protected characteristic in their area. While this represents a significant shift in local policy and practice, there is still much to learn about how these commitments are being implemented, what difference they are making for care experienced people, and the factors that support or hinder meaningful change.
This research will gather insights from professionals working in a range of different roles across local systems to identify emerging learning and share examples of effective practice.
Who can take part?
We are keen to hear from professionals working in, or alongside, local areas that have recognised care experience as a protected characteristic. We welcome contributions from a wide range of sectors and roles, including:
- upper tier authorities or unitary authorities, such as county councils, councils, metropolitan borough councils
- lower tier authorities, such as district or borough councils.
- health
- justice
- education
- voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE)
- private sector.
Complete our practitioner survey
If you work for or with a local area that has recognised care experience as a protected characteristic, please complete our short 10-minute survey by 2 October.
Participants will also have the opportunity to express an interest in attending online focus groups at the end of the survey.
Join an online focus group
Professionals from all local areas across England, whether or not care experience has been recognised locally, are invited to take part in our online focus groups.
These sessions will provide an opportunity to share learning, discuss challenges and explore approaches being taken across different local systems.
Expressions of interest are open for online focus groups taking place on the following dates:
- 10:00-11:30, 27 October
- 10:00-11:30, 9 November
- 11:00-12:30, 17 November
- 13:30-15:00, 24 November
- 15:00-16:30, 9 December
Find out more
If you are not sure whether care experience has been recognised as a protected characteristic in your area, the Care Leaver Local Offer comparison tool can help.
You can also read more about the research before deciding whether to take part:
View the survey information sheet
View the focus group information
This research is funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and is being led by Research in Practice.
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