Plain Language Statement and Consent Form

PLAIN LANGUAGE STATEMENT AND CONSENT FORM

TO: Foster Carers

Plain Language Statement

Date: May 2017 Full Project Title: Understanding problematic eating in vulnerable youth. Researchers: Dr Rachael Cox, Professor Helen Skouteris, Dr Heidi Bergmeier, A/Prof Matthew Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, Dr Angela Simpson, Lauren Bruce Student Researcher: Anna Norrish, Ghleanna Colgan, Jenna Miller, Melissa Savaglio, Rachel Byrne

1. Your Consent

You are invited to take part in this research project being conducted by researchers from Deakin University. This is because you are a foster care worker, who works with or cares for young people living in out-of-home care.

This Plain Language Statement contains detailed information about the research project. Its purpose is to explain to you as openly and clearly as possible all the procedures involved in this project so that you can make a fully informed decision regarding your participation.

Once you understand what the project is about and if you agree to take part, you will be asked to sign the Consent Form. By signing the Consent Form, you indicate that you understand the information and that you give your consent to participate in the research project. You will be given a copy of the Plain Language Statement and Consent Form to keep as a record.

Participation in this research is voluntary. If you don’t wish to take part, you don’t have to.

2. Background

Mounting evidence suggests that children and young people living in out-of- home care (OoHC) are at increased risk of problematic eating behaviours (i.e., emotional eating, compulsive eating, overeating, and binge eating, stealing or hoarding food). A recent study found nearly a quarter (22.1%) of young people living in residential care in Victoria presented with clinically significant eating problems. Currently, no interventions have been developed specifically to address the high rates of problematic eating amongst young people living in OoHC. The aim of this study is to better understand out-of-home carer experiences of problematic eating amongst the young people in their care. A better understanding of these factors, as well as identifying key resources needed to address problematic eating behaviours in out-of-home care is the first and a necessary step to address the high rates of eating and food-related problems among this vulnerable population of young people. The findings of this study will be used to inform development of prevention and/or intervention strategies.

3. The Research Project

The aim of this research project is to better understand: (1) out-of-home carer experiences of problematic eating; and (2) how problematic eating behaviours are managed in OoHC. It is anticipated that up to 48 foster carers will participate in the research.

Participation in the research involves:  Completing a brief questionnaire about the prevalence of problematic eating behaviours of the young people currently under your care, and household organisation of food. Completion of the questionnaire will take about 5-10 minutes.  Participation in afocus group to provide further details on how problematic eating behaviours are managed in care. The focus group will take 45 minutes and will include questions about your experience of problematic eating behaviours amongst the children in your care, how

these are typically managed, and available training offered to carers, specifically around understanding problematic eating behaviours (e.g., “Do you think there is a relationship between the experience of abuse and/or neglect and a person’s eating behaviour?”; “What would you say affects a young person’s eating habits?”; “What (if any) training is offered to carers, specifically around understanding problematic eating behaviours, including identifying or managing these types of behaviours?”). In the event that you are unable to attend a focus group, Deakin University would be happy to arrange a phone interview at a time convenient to you. These interviews/focus groups will be audio-taped and later transcribed by a member of the research team

You will not be paid for participating in the project, but you will be offered a $30 Coles/Myer voucher for completion of the brief questionnaire and participating in the focus group or phone interview, as a token of our appreciation for your time and commitment to the study. The gift voucher will be given to you in person following completion of the questionnaire/focus group or mailed to an address specified by you following completion of the questionnaire/phone interview.

5. Possible Benefits

This project is important because it is in line with the National Research Priority Area, Promoting and Maintaining Good Health, and within the priority goal of giving young people a healthy start to life. By participating in the research, it may improve our knowledge regarding how to address problematic eating behaviours amongst young people in OoHC. This information will allow us to develop practice-based interventions.

6. Possible Risks

There are no anticipated risks involved in this project. You are encouraged to examine the questionnaire, interview and focus group material before agreeing to participate. If you do participate and find that you are uncomfortable or

worried about your responses to the questionnaire or focus groups/interview items, or if you find participation in the project distressing, you should contact Dr Rachael Cox on 9244-3041 who will discuss your concerns with you in a confidential manner and suggest appropriate follow-up if necessary.

7. Privacy and Confidentiality of Information

Any information obtained in connection with this research project that can identify you will remain confidential and will only be used for the purpose of this research project. It will only be disclosed with your permission, except as required by law. You can be assured that you will not be identified by name in any way in the reporting of our results, in publications or conference presentations. Any information we collect from you that can identify you, including audio-taped material, will remain confidential and will be stored in a locked cabinet within the School of Psychology at Deakin University for a minimum of 6 years from the date of publication.

8. Information regarding Final Results of the Project

A research report and journal articles will be written about the the project and its findings. The project will also form part of five student researchers’ postgraduate thesis. Please email Dr Rachael Cox [email protected] if you would like to receive a copy of this report.

9. Right to Withdraw from Participation

Participation in any research project is voluntary. If you do not wish to take part you are not obliged to. If you decide to take part and later change your mind, you are free to withdraw from the project until the point that the data is being analysed and prepared for publication. Any information obtained from you to date will not be included with research data for analysis. Your decision whether to take part or not to take part, or to take part and then withdraw, will not affect your relationship with Deakin University or your workplace in any way. If you decide to withdraw from this project, please notify Dr Rachael Cox.

10. Contact Details and Information

If you would like additional information about the project or have any questions, please contact Dr Rachael Cox in the School of Psychology, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, on 9244 3041 or email: [email protected].

11. Complaints

If you have any complaints about any aspect of the project, the way it is being conducted or any questions about your rights as a research participant, contact:

The Manager, Office of Research Integrity, Deakin University, 221 Burwood

Highway, Burwood Victoria 3125, Telephone: 9251 7129, Facsimile: 9244 6581; [email protected].

Please quote project reference number: HEAG-H 05_2017..

TO: Foster Carers

Consent Form– Participant Copy

I have read, and I understand the attached Plain Language Statement. I freely agree to participate in this project according to the conditions in the Plain Language Statement. I have been given a copy of the Plain Language Statement and Consent Form to keep. The researcher has agreed not to reveal my identity and personal details, including where information about this project is published, or presented in any public form.

Participant Name (printed) ……………………………………………………………………

Signature ……………………………………………………… Date …………………………

Dr Rachael Cox School of Psychology, Deakin University 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria, 3125 (03) 9244 3041 or email: [email protected]

This is a copy for you to keep. Please sign and keep as a record of your participation.

TO: Foster Carers

Withdrawal of Consent Form

I hereby wish to WITHDRAW my consent to participate in the above research project and understand that such withdrawal WILL NOT jeopardise my relationship with Deakin University.

Participant Name (printed) …………………………………………………….

Signature ………………………………………………………………. Date ……………………

Please mail or email this form to:

Dr Rachael Cox School of Psychology, Deakin University 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria, 3125 Email: [email protected]

Only return this copy if you no longer want to participate in the research.

TO: Foster Carers

Consent Form – Researcher Copy

I have read, and I understand the attached Plain Language Statement. I freely agree to participate in this project according to the conditions in the Plain Language Statement. I have been given a copy of the Plain Language Statement and Consent Form to keep. The researcher has agreed not to reveal my identity and personal details, including where information about this project is published, or presented in any public form.

Participant Name (Printed) …………………………………………………………………………

Participant Signature………………………………………………………..Date…………………..

PARTICIPANT CONTACT DETAILS

Contact Phone Number: …………………………………………………………………….……… Email Address: ………………………………………………………………….……………………….

This is a copy for the research team. Please email your signed consent form to the Deakin University researchers or return in the reply paid envelope provided. Please make sure all relevant details are complete.