Child and Family Research Group (CaFRG)
The Child and Family Research Group (CaFRG) is an interdisciplinary unit which focuses on understanding the social issues surrounding childhood, parenting, caring within families and professional support for children and families.
Researchers in the group are committed to advancing and disseminating policy and practice knowledge which will enhance the well-being of children and young people in their families and communities. We are concerned too to promote interdisciplinary and interagency approaches in research, and to disseminate the findings of research to policy makers and planners, academic colleagues, parents, children, and those who provide services.
These aims are addressed through research in a number of substantive areas (see below). We undertake commissioned and scholarly research on issues relating to children and families, at both national and international levels, using a variety of research methodologies, including quantitative and qualitative and action research methods.
Current and recent research activities
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A range of studies concerning children who are informal carers, including, young carers of parents with HIV/AIDS (Becker, Evans)
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A range of studies of adoption and foster care services (Wilson, Charles, Fyson, Evetts)
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Adoption in middle childhood (Treacher Kabesh)
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Therapeutic interventions with children and families (Becker, Charles, Wilson)
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Evaluation of outcomes from the Sure Start programmes (Schneider)
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Commercial exploitation of children (O'Connell-Davidson)
Staff members currently contributing to the work of the Child and Family Group (CaFG) include:
Further information
Please contact Professor Harry Ferguson for further information.
Prospective postgraduate students can contact the postgraduate admissions tutors - Kathryn Clay (Taught) or Alison Haigh (Research) for further information.