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About NSPCC research

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Contributing to the evidence around preventing and responding to child abuse

The NSPCC's research activities are designed to grow our understanding of preventing child abuse, stopping it when it happens and lessening the impact on children.

We deliver, partner, fund and commission research to:

  • look at whether services that support children and their families work and how they might be improved
  • gather the views of children and families on key issues through interviews, focus groups and creative methods
  • carry out reviews of existing evidence
  • conduct original research and evaluation with professionals, children and young people, parents and carers.

We provide research advice to NSPCC colleagues carrying out research activities and we manage formal research ethics and governance through a proportionate review process and the NSPCC's Research Ethics Committee. Our work supports the development of campaigns, services and policy within the NSPCC and, additionally, we engage with partners and colleagues outside the organisation to drive research and data collection relating to child maltreatment. 

Research directory

Browse recently published NSPCC research, briefings and findings that share the latest insights about children, young people and their families.

> Browse now

Our processes

Research governance and ethics 

Our research review process aims to provide a thorough, impartial examination of the ethical issues in a collaborative and proportionate way to facilitate safe and ethical research. Our guides set out the process principles we follow when conducting research.

> NSPCC research ethics principles (PDF)
> NSPCC research governance process (PDF)

We also have guidance for researchers on what to consider when carrying out research with children.

> See Research with children: ethics, safety and promoting inclusion 

References

How can we prevent child abuse?

How can we keep children safe online?

How can we respond to abuse?

Young girl in pink glasses colouring a picture
In progress

The power of Young Voices in Plymouth Together for Childhood

We’re producing an evaluation report from Together for Childhood Plymouth. Young Voices was a project working with young people in Plymouth to promote healthy relationships and prevent peer-on-peer sexual abuse. 

School child sitting in her house sad
In progress

Policy report on reunification research

This will be a joint report between NSPCC and Action for Children about understanding reunification practice in the English care system.

Teacher talks to pupil about concern
In progress

The Young Person’s Knowledge Attitudes and Behaviour report

We're developing a report that looks at young people’s understanding of abuse and how to prevent it. We use data survey and focus group data from young people at our Together for Childhood sites in Glasgow, Grimsby, Stoke and Plymouth. The report will inform practice with young people.  

NSPCC research directory

Browse recently published NSPCC research, briefings and findings that share the latest insights about children, young people and their families. Browse now

NSPCC research directory

Browse recently published NSPCC research, briefings and findings that share the latest insights about children, young people and their families. Browse now