Parents Participant Information

Project title: Sefton Mental Resilience in Young People – Stage 2

Name of Researchers: Nadia Butler, Zara Quigg and Lisa Jones, Public Health Institute

We are asking children attending schools in Sefton to take part in a research study that will collect information about levels of mental wellbeing and resilience among primary and secondary school students and staff. Please contact the researcher if there is anything that is not clear or if you would like more information.

What is the purpose of the study?

We need research that provides an understanding of the levels of mental wellbeing and resilience among students and staff across Sefton schools. The information gathered from this study will provide a baseline to measure future school interventions against, identify areas of need and inform prevention and intervention strategies. Sefton Council has commissioned researchers from Liverpool John Moores University to conduct a survey which will explore levels of mental wellbeing and resilience among primary and secondary school students and staff. The study is open to all schools across Sefton and your child’s school has chosen to take part.

Does my child have to take part?

No. Participation is voluntary. You child’s school has chosen to take part in the study so your child will automatically take part. The children will read an age appropriate information sheet at the beginning of the survey which will inform them that  they do not have to take part if they do not want to. Implied assent will be taken from the children on commencement of the survey questions. 

What will happen if my child takes part?

Your child will be invited to take part in the study. Your child will be asked to complete a child-friendly questionnaire – this will take place in the classroom, will be facilitated by the school staff and take 20 minutes to complete.

Are there any risks / benefits involved?

There are no direct benefits or risks for your child to be involved in the study. The information they provide will be used by Sefton Council to identify areas of need at a school level and implement/support prevention and intervention activities.

Will their taking part in the study be kept confidential?

Yes. We take confidentiality very seriously. The survey will not ask for your child’s name. Your child does not have to answer any questions they do not wish to and they can also stop taking part in the survey at any time.

Who is organising and funding/commissioning the study?

This study is organised by Liverpool John Moores University and commissioned by Sefton Council. The research team or commissioners have no conflict of interest.

Who has reviewed this study?

This study has been reviewed by, and received ethics clearance through, the Liverpool John Moores University Research Ethics Committee (Reference number: 19/PHI/018). The study has also been reviewed and passed by Sefton Public Engagement and Consultation Panel.

What if something goes wrong?

If you have a concern about any aspect of this study, please contact the relevant investigator who will do their best to answer your query. The researcher should acknowledge your concern within 10 working days and give you an indication of how they intend to deal with it. If you wish to make a complaint, please contact the chair of the Liverpool John Moores University Research Ethics Committee and your communication will be re-directed to an independent person as appropriate.

Data Protection Notice

The data controller for this study will be Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU). The LJMU Data Protection Office provides oversight of LJMU activities involving the processing of personal data, and can be contacted at secretariat@ljmu.ac.uk. This means that we are responsible for looking after your information and using it properly. LJMU’s Data Protection Officer can also be contacted at secretariat@ljmu.ac.uk. The University will process your personal data for the purpose of research.  Research is a task that we perform in the public interest. Your rights to access, change or move your information are limited, as we need to manage your information in specific ways in order for the research to be reliable and accurate. If you withdraw from the study, we will keep the information about you that we have already obtained. You can find out more about how we use your information by contacting secretariat@ljmu.ac.uk.

If you are concerned about how your personal data is being processed, please contact LJMU in the first instance at secretariat@ljmu.ac.uk. If you remain unsatisfied, you may wish to contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). Contact details, and details of data subject rights, are available on the ICO website.

Contact Details

If you have questions or would like to discuss the study, please contact the project coordinator or lead investigators using the information detailed below.

Project Co-ordinator:

Nadia Butler, Researcher, PHI, Liverpool John Moores University. Tel: 0151 231 4148

Lead investigator:

Dr Zara Quigg, Reader in Behavioural Epidemiology, PHI, Liverpool John Moores University. Tel: 0151 231 4513