Care leavers as co-researchers in studying the intervention of the State in the lives of families

Researches investigating the quality of child protection system (CPS), are increasing, often engaging service users. Less investigated is the opinion of the individuals regarding the core of CPS, namely the decision about the state intervention in the private life of families. To close this gap we carried out a pilot study aimed at testing the feasibility of a wider research on this topic involving care leavers as co-researchers. In making this choice we were led by the belief that, due to the sensitiveness of the topic and the concern of reviving trauma memories, children's and young people’s views remain unheard, even if they are the main subjects involved in CP. Involving care-leavers in the definition of the whole research design represented a way to investigate together whether or not it is possible to investigate this central but also difficult and controversial topic, and how. The research group, composed of three researchers and three care leavers, jointly defined the research questions and the draft of the interview. Care leavers tested the research design carrying out nine interviews to other care leavers. Data were jointly analysed, and the contents and methods discussed. The pilot study showed the possibility to successfully investigate the topic and the relevance of involving care leavers at all stages of the research. After short overview of the results, the presentation will focus on the process we adopted, considering advantages, challenges, limits and ethical issues, thus contributing to co-creation of knowledge in the development of further researches.