Parent consultation group

SPRU’s first project was about disabled children and, since then, research on childhood disability and long-term illness has been a consistent stream of work.

The Parent Consultation Group was set up in 2001 in order to ensure that SPRU’s research is responsive to issues that are important to families with children with disabilities or long-term health conditions. The purpose of the group is to involve parents/carers in all stages of the research process, including identifying topics for research, preparing proposals, advising on the methods we should use, and disseminating findings. Working in partnership with a local school, a similar group for young disabled people was created in 2006. However, this group is not currently meeting.

"I have been a member of this group for several years. I have always felt that my contributions have been valued and put to use in the research that SPRU undertakes. It is also a good way to meet other parents and extend your own network. The lunch provided is second to none!!"

Parents/carers of children of different ages and wide ranging physical and/or learning disabilities and chronic conditions are represented on the Parent Consultation Group. It has around 15 members with meetings typically attended by 10 or so of these parents. Some parents have been members of the group since it was set up, others have joined, and left, over the years. The group meets two or three times a year, and individuals from the group may also join advisory groups for specific research projects within the team.

If you are interested in joining the group and would like to find out more, please contact us.