Freelance projects in 2023
1. In search of flourishing lives
Original Artwork for the project created by Grace Barnes https://www.gracebarnes.uk/
The first project I was involved with in 2023 was one funded by National Institute for Health and Care Research. This study looked at how social care can better support people with learning disabilities, so they can do the things they value and lead fulfilling lives. The study was led by Professor Sara Ryan at Manchester Metropolitan University and involves a large project team.
They 1) conducted a scoping review; 2) spoke to 72 people with learning disabilities and family carers; 3) held a learning community with support workers, people with learning disabilities, family carers and researchers and 4) went on tour to present and discuss the study with a wide variety of audiences
I was asked to help the team identify and present the study’s key findings. I coded the qualitative data using NVIVO, developed the analysis using reflexive thematic analysis and produced a written report providing a clear narrative about, and interpretation of, these data. Sara used my work to inform the final report to the NIHR and we co-authored a journal paper together, which is currently under review. You can read a summary of the main findings here.
Qualitative studies, when well done, can encourage key actors in health and social care, including policy makers, to reflect on, or make changes to, current systems and practices. Outputs are most persuasive when they are supported by sound analytic work and good writing that provide a clear interpretation of findings and recommendations. Please let me know if I can help you with that!
2. Growing older, planning ahead
Immediately following on from work on Flourishing Lives, I was asked by Sara to continue providing analytic and writing support for another of her NIHR-funded projects. This second project was led by by Professors Sara Ryan, Manchester Metropolitan University and Louise Wallace, Open University.
This study aimed to help older people with learning disabilities, and their family carers, better plan for the future. Two thirds of adults with learning disabilities live with their families. Many older carers worry about their children’s futures but little was known about how family carers plan for their own end of life
If you have a project that also aims to better support the way people are cared for and supported throughout their lives, I can help you identify what is important to them and explore how this can be supported in practice.
Created by Grace Barnes https://www.gracebarnes.uk/
3. Staying Close programme evaluation
Foundations – a What Works Centre for Children and Families seeks better outcomes for children, young people and families by bringing the best available evidence to practitioners and other decision makers across the children’s social care sector.
The ‘Staying Close’ programme provides safe accommodation and bespoke packages to young people leaving residential care, with the aim of developing young people’s confidence and skills for independent living, as well as supporting their mental health and wellbeing. The programme was piloted by eight delivery partners as part of the DfE Innovation Programme, with a further roll out of Staying Close (to 15 local authorities in 2022, and 32 in 2023) to evaluate the impact of the programme.
This evaluation sought robust answers to whether the Staying Close programme works to improve young peoples’ outcomes in a wider number of local areas (such as relationship skills, suitable accommodation and employment and education), as well as how it can be implemented most effectively, and its cost effectiveness for local authorities.
I am a freelance qualitative research associate for Foundations, offering support with data generation, coding, analysis and writing as required. In 2023 I provided coding, analysis and writing services on the ‘Staying Close’ evaluation.
4. Reducing Parental Conflict (RPC) programme: an evaluation on the effects of interventions on parental relationships and children
A second piece of work for Foundations in 2023 was the analysis of open-ended survey data provided by all local authorities reporting progress on the roll-out of the RPC programme.
Seven parenting interventions, theorised to reduce parental conflict, were tested across 31 upper local authorities in four geographical areas to build the evidence on what works to help families in conflict. Prior to the RPC programme, relatively few relationship and parenting interventions had been tested in the UK. Therefore, very little was known about the type of interventions that would work to reduce parental conflict and improve the mental health and wellbeing of children in workless and disadvantaged families.
Working with the project team, and other freelancers, I examined experiences of, and progress with, introducing and embedding RPC programmes and identified barriers and facilitators. We each wrote up findings relating to the particular domains we had focused on and I helped with editing the interim report submitted to the Department for Work and Pensions.
Applying behavioural science to enhance dispatcher assistance for out of hospital cardiac arrest and increase rates of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
The final project for 2023 involved coding, analytic and writing support provided for a qualitative project led by Dr Barbara Farquharson, University of Stirling. Barbara is investigating whether behavioural science might enhance the critically important role of ambulance call-takers in achieving CPR.
We examined the transcripts of interviews Barbara had conducted with call-takers, which detailed their experiences of providing instructions. We described their experience of calls (what was difficult, how they managed emotions, how the script could be improved, etc) and any perceived barriers to CPR being started in a timely way.
We are planning to write a publication based on the report of findings I submitted to the team. Watch this space!
Please email me at rosaleenobrien.research@gmail.com to discuss my availability to support your project.
Dr Rosaleen O'Brien 