Who is doing this research?

This work is being undertaken by a consortium of organisations led by researchers from the Global Centre for Contextual Safeguarding at Durham University, in collaboration with the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF). The consortium consists of the following organisations: Durham University, Research in Practice, The Association of Safeguarding Partners, and the National Policing Vulnerability Knowledge and Practice Programme (College of Policing).

What is the research about?

There are two strands of work in this research project.

In the first YEF is seeking to understand what Local Safeguarding Children Boards / Local Safeguarding Partnerships (LSCB/LSPs) across England and Wales are expected to do to protect children at risk of Child Criminal Exploitation and Extra-Familial Harm - as set out in law, policy, and practice guidance - and to assess the extent to which these expectations are being met in practice. It will also identify barriers and enablers to effective practice and offer insights for practice and system change. The study will inform YEF’s recommendations for the children’s services sector in 2026 on how to reduce violence amongst children and young people.

In the second YEF is seeking to understand how multi‐agency child exploitation (MACE) and equivalent panels operate across different local authorities in England and Wales and what factors influence their ability to assess and support children effectively. The study will inform YEF’s recommendations for the children’s services sector in 2026 on how to reduce violence amongst children and young people.

What am I being invited to do?

You are invited to participate in an online focus group to share your experience of LSCB/LSPs or MACE panels. You can choose which of the two strands of this project is more relevant for your role, and express an interest in that focus group. There will be some overlap in the discussions.

If you have any questions about this research contact evaluation@researchinpractice.org.uk.

Do I have to take part?

No, you are under no obligation to take part. You can withdraw from the research within four weeks – without giving a reason – and your information will be destroyed. Please get in touch with Helen Stacey or Lorna Trend Evaluation@researchinpractice.org.uk if you wish to withdraw.

Are there limits to confidentiality? 

We will not name individuals, but we may use small direct quotes in any resources or publications that will be published. We anticipate alongside the quotes we will provide role job e.g. youth worker. If there is anything you want to say that you don’t want attributed to your role, please alert us to this at the focus group/interview and we will not include any identifying information. Everything discussed will be kept private, unless you disclose something which suggests you or someone else is not safe or that practice is unsafe. In the event that this happens, the researchers have a duty to pass this information on to the relevant authorities. The information you provide will be digitally recorded but it will be stored securely by Research in Practice.

Research and the Law

If you decide to take part you have rights under the Law and we have a legal duty to keep your data safe. This information is included in our Privacy Notice below.

A copy of the privacy notice can be found here