Are you a foster or kinship carer for a young person aged 12-18?

Are you a foster or kinship carer for a young person aged 12-18?

Are you a foster or kinship carer for a young person aged 12-18?

Researchers at the University of East Anglia are testing a new set of resources called Spark, designed to help young people in care make sense of their past and build their sense of identity. Before running a larger study, they need carers to try Spark in real life and share what works and what doesn't.

If you're interested in taking part, click below to find out if you're eligible.

Researchers at the University of East Anglia are testing a new set of resources called Spark, designed to help young people in care make sense of their past and build their sense of identity. Before running a larger study, they need carers to try Spark in real life and share what works and what doesn't.

If you're interested in taking part, click below to find out if you're eligible.

What's involved

What's involved

The study runs for 6 months. You'll be randomly assigned to either use the Spark resources or continue with your usual practice.


Both groups complete short questionnaires at the start of the study and again at 1, 3, and 6 months. Each takes around 20-25 minutes. At the end of the study, you may also be invited to take part in an optional interview about your experience (30-60 minutes). In total, the study takes a maximum of 2-3 hours across the 6 months.


The young person in your care is welcome, but not required, to take part alongside you.

Who can take part?

Who can take part?

You may be eligible if:


  • You are a foster or kinship foster carer based in England

  • You are currently looking after a young person aged between 12 and 18

  • You have no planned moves for the young person in your care in the next 6 months

  • You are not operating as an emergency placement

  • You did not take part in Work Package 4 of LIMITLESS II

  • No other carer in your household is already taking part in this study

Compensation

Compensation

You'll receive a £20 Love2Shop e-gift voucher for each survey you complete, up to £80 in total. There's an additional £20 voucher available if you take part in the end-of-study interview.

You'll receive a £20 Love2Shop e-gift voucher for each survey you complete, up to £80 in total. There's an additional £20 voucher available if you take part in the end-of-study interview.

We want to hear from you

We want to hear from you

We want to hear from you

Life story work can make a real difference to young people in care, and carers are at the heart of making it happen. Your experiences will directly shape how Spark is developed and how this research moves forward.


If you're interested in taking part, click below to get started.

Life story work can make a real difference to young people in care, and carers are at the heart of making it happen. Your experiences will directly shape how Spark is developed and how this research moves forward.


If you're interested in taking part, click below to get started.

This study has been reviewed and approved by the University of East Anglia's School of Education and Lifelong Learning Research Ethics Committee (ETH2526-0145). Led by Dr Simon P Hammond, University of East Anglia, and funded by the National Institute for Health and Social Care Research (NIHR). For questions, contact LIMITLESS@uea.ac.uk

This study has been reviewed and approved by the University of East Anglia's School of Education and Lifelong Learning Research Ethics Committee (ETH2526-0145). Led by Dr Simon P Hammond, University of East Anglia, and funded by the National Institute for Health and Social Care Research (NIHR). For questions, contact LIMITLESS@uea.ac.uk

All rights reserved. Copyright 2025.

All rights reserved. Copyright 2025.