PROCEDIMIENTOS DE SALVAGUARDIA Y DE VIGILANCIA

“The sustainability of mindfulness practice in children and young people's school experiences”

Information Sheet for Parents

You and your son/ daughter have been invited to participate in a research study as part of a student thesis at Cardiff University. The research project is looking into the sustainability of the mindfulness intervention that your son/ daughter has recently been involved with alongside ***’s educational psychology service.

Who will conduct the research?

The research will be conducted by Jessica Swire a trainee educational psychologist completing a doctorate in educational psychology at Cardiff University as part of her thesis. Title of the research

The sustainability of mindfulness practice in children and young people's school experiences.

What is the aim of the research?

The aim of the study is to explore children’s experiences of mindfulness and to gain an understanding about the sustainable elements of the mindfulness intervention and the difference between individual effects of mindfulness practice as a curriculum and that of mindfulness as a continued lifestyle. It is hopeful that the research will establish an understanding of individual’s mindfulness experiences and give insight into how to sustain the benefits of mindfulness practice in the future.

What does the research involve and who will be involved?

A selection of the children from the mindfulness course, who have consent to participate, will be randomly selected to be involved in the research project. If you consent to your son/ daughter being involved in the research they will be asked to complete a short language ability test (British Picture Vocabulary Scale) to ensure the interviews will be age appropriate but these

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results will not be reported. If your son/ daughter are then randomly selected the research will involve you and/ or your child participating in a 30 – 45 minute one to one interview with the researcher (Jessica) at a convenient time for yourselves. Your son/ daughter completed an evaluation form after the mindfulness intervention that will inform the researcher’s interview questions. Pupils will be asked about their experiences of mindfulness, if there have been any impacts of using mindfulness and if and how they have used it since they were involved in the course. The involvement of parents will explore if these perceived effects are consistent with their experiences with their children involved. At the end of your individual interviews you and your child will be debriefed, reminded of you ethical rights and given a further opportunity to ask questions to the researcher.

Each of the interviews will be recorded, typed up and analysed to look for similarities and differences in the interviews. Once the interviews have been typed up and analysed the participants may be asked to review the researcher’s interpretation of their interview to ensure it is correct. The researcher will then write the results up in a report format.

Consent and Assent:

Consent to participate in the study is entirely voluntary, there is no obligation for individuals to participate and there will be no implications on anyone who does not take part. All children involved, as well as their parents giving consent will be asked to choose if they would like to participate (give assent). If there is refusal from the child or the parent then the child will not be included in the study. Parents are asked to complete an interest to participate form if they would like to be involved. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without giving reason up until the point the interviews are analysed and made anonymous.

Where and when will the research be conducted?

The research will be conducted by the researcher (Jessica) within the school setting. The interviews will take part in a private and safe environment with all participants. As the mindfulness course was completed in your son/ daughters school in … it is hoped that the research will be conducted around … so that there is a 6 month follow up.

Will what we say be anonymous?

All the data collected will be treated as completely confidential up until the data is analysed when it will become anonymous. The exceptions to confidentiality between the researcher and participant will be if disclosures are made that insinuate harm to the participants or others. A safeguarding plan has been prepared in case these circumstances arise. The

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research information will not be traceable to any individuals and only the researcher and her supervisor will have access to this. False names will be used when the report is written up. All data will be stored securely and will be password protected and will be deleted when the researcher’s course is completed.

What happens if you do not want you or your child to take part?

If you decide you do not want you or your son/ daughter to take part you do not need to do anything. It would however be appreciated if you could return the consent form attached to the school and tick the box stating you wish not to be involved with the study. You have the right not to answer any questions the researcher asks if you do not feel comfortable and also have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason up until the point your information is anonymised and becomes untraceable.

What are the benefits of participating in the research?

It is believed that the research will provide insight into the effectiveness and sustainability of mindfulness interventions and it hopes to look at how the benefits of mindfulness can continue to help increase your child’s wellbeing.

What is something goes wrong?

If you ever wish to make a complaint or are unhappy about the conduct of the researcher you should contact the university ethics committee on 029 2087 0360 or [email protected].

I have undertaken an enhanced Criminal Record Bureau check and I am fully trained in Child Protection issues.

Thank you for taking the time to read the research information. Please carefully decide whether you and your son/ daughter would like to participate in the research. If you would like some further information or something is unclear please feel free to contact the researcher Jessica Swire on *** or Jessica.swire@***.gov.uk. If you or your son/ daughter are interested in continuing with this research please return the consent form attached to your son/ daughters school by ….

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Parental Consent Form

Research Title: The sustainability of mindfulness practice in children's school experiences I have read the above information and understand that:

 Participation in this research is wholly voluntary and will be selected at random from the class.

 That I may withdraw mine or my son/ daughter’s participation at any time without given reason up until the point the data has been anonymised.

 That I or my son/ daughter have no obligation to participate in the research study and I can withdraw by not responding to this letter.

 I understand that I am free to ask questions about the research or discuss any concerns I have with the researcher at any time.

 I understand that the information provided by me and my son/ daughter will be held confidentially and securely and only the researcher and her supervisor will have access to this data.

Signed: ___________________________________________Date:_________________

I, _______________________________(NAME), consent to my son/ daughter _____________________________ (NAME) participating in the study conducted by Jessica Swire from the School of Psychology, Cardiff University under the supervision of Simon Claridge.

I, _______________________________(NAME), would be interested in being involved in the research project in the form of a research interview.

Contact Details: _____________________________ _____________________________

If you do not wish to consent:

I, _______________________________(NAME), do not consent to my son/ daughter

being involved in the study conducted by Jessica Swire from the School of Psychology, Cardiff University under the supervision of Simon Claridge.

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Appendix 5: Children and Young People’s Information Sheets and Assent Forms i. Primary