Involving ‘seldom heard’ young people• ‘Youth Social Behaviour and Network Therapy

Study’ (YSBNT) – a 30 month HTA-funded feasibility pilot study adapting an intervention, originally developed for adults using alcohol services, so that it can be used with young people and their families

• Also exploring and developing models of PPI which support the involvement of young people whose voices are seldom heard

Plan A…• Recruit an advisory group of 10-12 young

people who had previously used drug and alcohol services and would be actively engaged throughout the project

• Members of this group, along with parent representatives, would then be supported to attend trial steering committee meetings

But – some challenges…

• Gatekeepers/information not being passed on

• Location

• Difficulties with YP attending/committing to meetings

• Changing availability

• Resources

Plan B

• Smaller and more flexible young advisors group

• Face-to-face or telephone meetings with young advisors who have to miss a meeting

• One-off workshops or consultations in services where YP are not able to travel to London and/or make an on-going commitment to the project

• Secure blog or other online space to communicate with young people and seek their input on study documents and other issues

Some questions• What are the challenges in recruiting ‘hard

to reach’ or ‘seldom heard’ young people, and how can these be overcome?

• How inclusive is PPI with CYP? Who gets involved, and who doesn’t?

• How can we best involve CYP in health and social care research? Are YPAGs the only model?