Fathers’ experiences with preparing and supporting their son/daughter with a learning disability in their transition to adulthood

I am passing on a request from a student at Reading University looking to hear from fathers of people with a learning disability.
Supervisors:
Dr Fiona Knott: f.j.knott@reading.ac.uk or 0118 378 7539
Dr Jon Codd: jon.codd@berkshire.nhs.uk

Student researcher: Mathumeera Balendra, M.Balendra@student.reading.ac.uk
We would be grateful to you if you could assist us by participating in our study exploring fathers’ experiences of preparing and supporting their son/daughter with a learning disability’s in their transition to adulthood. Previous research on parents’ experiences has mostly represented mothers and is not always reflective of what fathers go through. This study is part of an undergraduate project that would give you the opportunity to share how it was for you to go through the ups and downs of this pivotal stage in your son/daughter’s life.

Who can take part in the study?
You would be welcome to take part in the study if:

You are a father of a young adult with a learning disability. The definition of ‘father’ also includes stepfather and adopted father.
You have been actively involved in your son/daughter’s life since at least the age of 13.
Your son/daughter is between the ages of 18-30.
You are comfortable with giving interviews alone via video call or through the phone.
You have access to a computer/laptop/tablet/mobile phone with a microphone and video camera function.
You can speak fluent English.
You currently reside in Berkshire (or within South-East England).
You have a learning disability/learning difficulty but are verbal and meet the other criteria.

What would I have to do?
Your participation will take approximately 45-60 minutes, during which time you will be interviewed via video call. You will be asked questions about your history with supporting your son/daughter before they turned 18, including what it was like to help prepare them for adulthood and how it was to experience it with them.

You will be asked for consent to record the interview using a recording device and a camera. We need to record the interview to allow us to transcribe and analyse it later. We would prefer to video record but audio recording is an option if that is easier for you.

To ensure that the interview runs smoothly, please make sure you have optimal WiFi or sufficient mobile data. It would be best to ensure you are in a quiet room with minimal distractions.

What will happen to my data?
Your data will be kept confidential and securely stored, with only a psuedonym identifying it. Information linking that number to your name will be stored securely and separately from the data you provide us.
Data collected from this study will be preserved and made available in anonymised form, so that they can be consulted and re-used by others.
The study will be written up for an undergraduate dissertation and later submitted for publication in a revised form.

All information collected for the project will be destroyed after a period of 5 years from the completion of the project has elapsed.

Taking part in this study is completely voluntary; you may withdraw at any time without having to give any reason.

Please feel free to ask any questions that you may have about this study at any point.
This application has been reviewed by the University Research Ethics Committee and has been given a favourable ethical opinion for conduct
Thank you for your help.Study Poster.docx (188.2 KB) Information Sheet.docx (44.6 KB)