Updates

Work with collaborating organisations began in the Spring of this year, although the Covid-19 pandemic and social distancing measures have made this challenging. 

Collaborating organisations have responded quickly and innovatively, but their face-to-face work has been restricted and their usual work with migrant families has changed. The University of Sheffield has also suspended face-to-face research to protect all people involved.

However, by working with collaborators, we have adapted our research plan and been able to make progress. One significant change is that the project is now initially focusing on understanding practitioners’ experiences of working with migrant families. Work with families that have migrated to the UK will now hopefully take place in the autumn.

Since May, the research team – like many people – have learnt new skills, including how to facilitate focus groups, interviews, and ethnographic conversations, via online video calls and telephone conversations. 

The initial focus groups have gone well and have now been completed in the two organisations. Contact and conversations with practitioners are still ongoing and the research team is now analysing what we have learnt, with the aim of adding detail to the broad research aims.