Public engagement on the Early Life Cohort Feasibility Study

This work aimed to explore the acceptability of using administrative data in the study:

• as a sampling frame, by using linked birth registrations and NHS maternity records
• for operational purposes, to aid recruitment and participant follow up
• and for research purposes, through adding information from administrative records.

The project was done in partnership with Kantar (now Verian) in 2021.

There were three strands to this work:

1. Exploring feasibility and value of sample frame with data users and controllers

We asked both groups about the feasibility of using administrative data as a sample frame, and the possible benefits and disadvantages of this.

We explored how the sample frame could be used to maximise representation and for targeted recruitment. We also asked the group about the possible benefits and disadvantages of linking administrative data to the survey data.

The findings supported the decision to pursue NHS records as the sampling frame and informed the planned record linkages.

Download the Acceptability of administrative data use with data users and controllers report (February 2024, PDF).

2. Exploring acceptability of administrative data use with mothers and fathers of young children

Mothers and fathers were asked for their views about the proposed uses of administrative data for sampling and recruitment, and the reassurances they would need to support this data use. These reassurances were integrated into the participant materials and study’s privacy notice. These findings were used extensively in negotiations with data controllers to access the sampling frame.

Mothers and fathers were also asked for their views about linking administrative data to survey responses for research purposes, and different approaches to collecting consent. These findings fed into the design of participant materials and consent models for the study.

Download the Acceptability of administrative data use with parents report (February 2024, PDF)

3. Reflection on findings and implementation

A workshop was held with the study team, policy stakeholders, funders and fieldwork partners to discuss the findings from the two sessions. The group reflected on what the findings implied for key design decisions for the study regarding recruitment, non-response analysis, sample adjustment and data linkage consents.

Download the Acceptability of administrative data use activation workshop report (February 2024, PDF)

Download a summary of how findings were implemented into the study in the Incorporating stakeholder feedback into the design of the Early Life Cohort Feasibility Study report (February, 2024).

We conducted two panels with people representing potential participants in the study, to explore general engagement issues. We also carried out in-depth qualitative research with the ethnic minority and low-income families and own-household fathers, as the key ‘less often heard’ groups that the study is designed to engage.

Engagement with the National Children’s Bureau Youth and Family Research Advisory Groups

In 2021 and 2023 we carried out sessions with the National Children’s Bureau Youth and Family Research Advisory Group.

We asked the groups of parents and young people about our ideas for recruitment, the child’s consent to participate, motivations and barriers to taking part, which parents should be asked which questions, questionnaire topics, incentives and study name ideas.

We used the findings to inform the design of the interview for different kinds of parents, the types of incentives given, and engagement messaging for the participant materials.

Download the NCB groups engagement report (February 2024, PDF)

Qualitative work with key engagement groups (own household fathers, low-income and ethnic minority families)

With Ipsos, we carried out in-depth interviews with 30 ‘own-household fathers’ (OHFs). These are fathers who do not live full time with their child.

At age nine months, approximately 20% of UK fathers do not live with their child full time. OHFs are therefore a substantial and important group for recruitment to the study.

Direct recruitment of OHFs has never been done before in a UK birth cohort, so this work aimed to understand the motivations and barriers to participation for these fathers.

The findings supported the choice of birth registrations as a sampling frame to ensure recruitment of OHFs, informed engagement messaging in the materials, the mixed-mode design to encourage fathers to take part and fieldwork protocols for interviewers.

In-depth interviews were also done with 30 mothers and fathers from low-income backgrounds, with a high quota sample of parents from ethnic minority backgrounds. Low-income and ethnic minority families are both boost groups in the sample. It was therefore important to understand the engagement issues for these groups.

Findings from this work informed the study’s approach to inclusive study materials, and offering mode flexibility for time-poor parents and engagement approaches.

An article on this work was published in the Social Research Association’s Social Research Practice journal.

Download the Qualitative work with own household parents and low income families report and appendices (February 2024, PDF)

The participant-facing brand, materials and questionnaire were all developed and tested with parents of young children.

Testing participant materials and questionnaire

Working with Ipsos we tested early drafts of participant materials and parts of the questionnaire for appeal and comprehension with a group of potential participants. This comprised 32 parents with a child under two years old from a range of backgrounds.

As a result, improvements were made to the questionnaires and content and design of the participant materials.

Download the Participant materials and questionnaire development qualitative report (February 2024, PDF)

Download the Participant materials and questionnaire development qualitative report appendices (February 2024, PDF)

Consultation on participant-facing name and brand

With IFF Research we carried out consultation on participant-facing name and brand with online focus groups with mothers and fathers of children under two years old.

We asked the group about experiences of being a new parent, motivations and barriers to taking part in the study and sources of information for parents.

These findings were implemented into the engagement messages in the participant materials. We also tested different study names, logos and brand colours to inform the branding for the study which informed the final choice.

Download the Branding and name consultation report (February 2024, PDF)