Foundation Fostering Limited research:
Exploring transracial placements in a fostering angency.
Foundation Fostering Limited is a private for-profit fostering agency that commissioned me to lead a qualitative research project exploring their clients' experiences. The company was interested in finding out how their carers and children in mixed-raced placements navigate differing cultures. The research aim was to satisfy their clients and ensure that the agency supported them.
I collaborated with various stakeholders during this project, mainly because it centred on minors and sensitive topics. The project gained rich data and impactful insights for the company. I led the project end-to-end.
Literature review Ideation
01
Research plan
I established the research plan and ideation when collaborating with the companies' lead manager. We discussed various ways to approach the topics given their sensitive nature and which participants to recruit. I established the research questions and undertook a literature review for background information.
02
Collaboration
The collaboration process involved regular brainstorming meetings with other stakeholders, for instance, team leaders, to establish the research goals and questions. We devised plans to approach the participants who may be more sensitive and also set the research aims.
Research aims Goals Plan Brainstorming
Gatekeepers Consent forms Data protection
03
Participant recruitment
The participants were from a cross-section of carers and children under the companies existing client base. I recruited them through email once I gained access via various gatekeepers (social workers) who informed them of the research. I devised consent and information forms with the interview procedures and data protection information.
04
Interviews
The interviews were semi-structured and included open-ended questions. I interviewed three participants and led a focus group with three carers. I tried to keep an empathetic approach given the topic at hand; for instance, the participants chose pseudonyms.
Focus group Pseudonyms Semi-structured
Coding Themes Recommendations
I analysed the findings using coding methods and established various themes and insights. For instance, I found that the participants did not feel they knew to support the children's racial identity. Consequently, I recommended that the company establish educational workshops for the carers.
05
Findings and insights
06
Dissemination and impact
I delivered a report to the stakeholders explaining the complex findings that I gathered from the interviews in simple terms. The research was well received; for instance, the CEO found it informative. The report impacted and influenced the companies' policies, and consequently, Foundation Fostering created a 'transracial policy' because of my research.
Policy influence Report Storytelling