Student Research With a Positive Impact
NYAS works with students across England and Wales who explore issues affecting care-experienced young people as part of their studies.
Some of these research opportunities are facilitated by Interchange. This is a registered charity managed by the University of Liverpool, connecting voluntary sector organisations with students in higher education. Interchange provides access to research projects, including undergraduate research opportunities.
We also run a research programme with students from Manchester Metropolitan University. The high-quality research produced as a result of these partnerships benefits both the student and the charity.
Student Research Project Results
NYAS has been fortunate enough to offer undergraduate research opportunities to several students. You can find all of their original research, including their findings, below. We have grouped each research project by the theme or issue they were exploring.
Disability
Marginalised and Failed by PolicyMakers: Looked-After Disabled Children (2022)
Researcher: Harriet Gledhill-Baker
In this report, Harriet Gledhill-Baker explores how disability affects care experienced children and young people in and outside of care.
Poverty
Examining the Relationship Between Child Poverty and Social Care (2022)
Researcher: Imogen Thompson
Child poverty in the UK is an ongoing crisis. Imogen Thompson's report explores the relationship between child poverty and children entering the social care system.
Parenthood
A Knowledge Review On the Services and Support Available for Young Care Experienced Fathers in Wales (2022)
Researcher: Emilie Daniels
This knowledge review examines the support on offer for care experienced fathers, and where improvements need to be made.
Personal Advisors
Active or Invisible: Investigating the Role of Personal Advisors Within the Care System (2022)
Researcher: Amelia Hudson
Should Personal Advisors Support Mental Health and Wellbeing as a Key Performance Indicator? (2022)
Researcher: Emily Pierce
In these reports, the researchers explore the role of personal advisors within the lives of care leavers, including their purpose and potential for positive impact.
Early Intervention
Early Intervention: A Cost Saving Exercise? (2022)
Researcher: David Wood
In this report, David Wood explores the benefits of early intervention services for both local authorities and children in care.
Stigmatisation
‘Not In My Backyard’: How Communities Choose to Welcome or Reject Vulnerable Children (2021)
Researcher: Joanne Chetwood
In this report, Joanne Chetwood explored why communities often go to great lengths to stop vulnerable children moving into their area.
Youth Homelessness
Youth Homelessness: From Support in a Crisis, to Support to Avoid a Crisis (2021)
Researchers: Leonie Townsend; Brigita Petruskeviciute
Two students took part in this undergraduate research opportunity exploring youth homelessness, but they took slightly different angles.
Leonie Townsend researched why care-experienced young people are more likely to experience homelessness than their peers. She analysed the impact of housing legislation and the COVID-19 pandemic. You can read the full report here.
Brigita Petruskeviciute also examined why care leavers are at greater risk of becoming homeless, analysing whether social services and local authorities provide the support that they’re statutorily obligated to as corporate parents. The full report is available here.
Mental Health
Mental Health: The Links Between Leaving Care, Entering Adulthood and Moving On From CAMHS (2020)
Researcher: Isobel Hopwood.
In this report, Isobel Hopwood outlines the challenges care leavers can face during transitions, and impact of stigma on their mental health during that journey.
Missing Children
Missing Children and Return Interviews: Analysis of Data in England and Wales (2020)
Researchers: Jasmine Millard; Jiahao Zhou
Two students, Jasmine Millard and Jiahao Zhou, researched Wales and England respectively, to gain a deeper insight into the effectiveness of return interviews across these countries.
The Welsh report is available to read here, and the English report is accessible here.
Leaving Care
Care Leavers Policy: Transition from Children’s to Adult services (2019)
Researcher: Penny Rimmer
Penny Rimmer researched some of the challenges facing young people leaving the care system, as well as the opportunities that may be available to them.
Voice
The Child’s Journey through NYAS’ Contact Centres: Considering the Significance of the Child's Voice Throughout the Process (2019)
Researcher: Hannah Nicholas
In this project, Hannah Nicholas focused on NYAS Contact Centres. She evaluated the impact of the voice of the child at the beginning, middle, and end of their contact journey, to uncover any barriers preventing the child from being heard
Working with NYAS has been a delightful experience. All the members of staff I have had the opportunity to interact with have been incredibly pleasant, helpful, and down to earth. I have received massive support from NYAS all throughout and would highly recommend and encourage students to work with them in the future!
Brigita Petruskeviciute
Get Involved
Are you a student and think that you could deliver a research project which could benefit NYAS and have a positive impact on care experienced young people?
Perhaps you’re a university professor, or a course convenor looking to secure undergraduate research projects for your students?
If you’re looking to get yourself or your students involved with NYAS’ student research opportunities, please get in touch with the Policy and Research team by emailing policy@nyas.net.
You can also learn more about NYAS by exploring our services, our mission and values, and our campaigns for change. For all of the latest NYAS updates and guidance, head to the NYAS News Hub. If you’re keen to be more involved with NYAS’ work, consider volunteering for us.