The advice and support NFER offers in relation to Children’s Services includes:

• a choice of methods for consulting with children, young people and their families, such as paper- and web-based surveys
• participative approaches including group discussion and activities
• drawing samples from complex databases to ensure the collection of accurate and representative data. Samples can be drawn from various datasets including NFER’s unique resource, the Register of Schools
• developing and piloting ECM-designed questions, methods and instruments
• statistical analysis including interpretation and user-friendly presentation of data for local authorities, their partner agencies, schools and others
• Presentation of outcomes such as written reports and workshop seminars.

NFER prides itself on close collaborative working with its clients. We work with them to review their specific needs and address the best ways of meeting them within available resources.

Research design
Children’s Services at NFER has unrivalled experience of supporting local authorities, their partners, schools and others to design appropriate research methods to address their individual specific needs.

Research methods
NFER uses a range of research methods, many of which, with slight adaptation are suitable for research into the views and experiences of children and young people.

We have developed both quantitative and qualitative approaches.

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