Summary of Research

This research explores how social and community workers understand the role of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in shaping pathways into youth offending. While strong links between childhood adversity and offending are well established, how practitioners interpret these experiences in everyday practice remains underexplored. Using a qualitative design, the study will involve semi-structured interviews with three social and/or community workers experienced in youth-related settings. Data will be analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. By centering practitioner perspectives, the research aims to inform trauma-informed practice and strengthen early intervention and support strategies for young people experiencing adversity in Aotearoa New Zealand.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Tenā koe,

My name is Zara Kant. I am currently undertaking a small research project as part of my Master of Applied Social Work programme in the School of Social Work at Massey University. The purpose of this letter is to invite you to participate in my research project.

What is this research about?
This study explores how social and community workers conceptualise the role of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in shaping developmental pathways into youth offending, and how these
understandings influence their approaches to engaging with and supporting young people.

Previous research shows that childhood trauma and adversity are strongly associated with later behavioural, social, and justice system outcomes. Young people involved in offending often report
significantly higher exposure to adversity such as abuse, neglect, family violence, and other forms of developmental trauma. However, while much research has examined statistical relationships between ACEs and offending, less attention has been given to how social and community workers understand these developmental pathways through their professional practice.

This research will explore the following questions:

1. What are social and community workers’ experiences of working with young people who have experienced ACEs?
2. What approaches do social and community workers identify as effective when engaging with these young people?
3. What do social and community workers believe could improve responses to trauma in preventing youth offending?
    

What benefits will the research bring?
This research aims to contribute to a greater understanding of how practitioners interpret developmental trauma and its relationship to youth offending. By drawing on the insights and
experiences of social and community workers, the study seeks to highlight practice-informed knowledge about engaging with young people affected by adversity and to identify opportunities to
strengthen trauma-informed responses.

The findings may contribute to ongoing discussions about prevention, early intervention, and effective support for young people who have experienced trauma, particularly within the Aotearoa New Zealand context.

Each participant will receive a $35 petrol voucher as a token of appreciation 

Why am I being asked to take part?
I am inviting you to participate in my research if you meet the following criteria:

• You are a registered social worker or community worker, and
• You have at least one year of experience working with young people, particularly those who may have experienced trauma or adverse childhood experiences, and
• You have worked in youth-related settings within the past 5 years (e.g., youth justice, community services, or iwi social services).

What will I be asked to do?
The interview is expected to take approximately 60 minutes and will be audio-recorded. The exact timing will be arranged with you. Interviews may be conducted either online via Zoom or in person if you are located in Palmerston North. If the interview is conducted via Zoom, the platform may capture video images during the session; however, only the audio file will be downloaded and used for transcription. These images will not be used as part of the research data and will be deleted immediately following the interview. The interview will be semi-structured, short and conversational in nature, and no discomfort to participants is anticipated. If you wish, you may request to see the interview schedule prior to the interview.

If you agree to take part in my research project, can you please complete the attached consent form and return it to me via email at Zara.Kant.1@uni.massey.ac.nz before the interview.

If you have any concerns about the process of gathering the interview data, you can contact my supervisor. Contact details are provided at the end of this information sheet.

What will happen to the data?
The interview data will be used to answer my research aim, as described above. If any transcription is needed, I will do it myself so the data remains confidential. Data and the consent forms will be safely stored on OneDrive, on my password-protected computer, while the project is being completed and will be destroyed once my research report has been examined.

All identifiable information will be anonymised. Participants are asked not to disclose identifying information about specific clients, cases, or individuals during the interview.

My work will be examined by my research supervisor (a staff member in the School of Social Work) and an external examiner. Findings may also be used in publications arising from the research.

What rights do I have?
You are under no obligation to accept this invitation. If you decide to participate, you have the right to:

• Decline to answer any questions without consequences.
• Withdraw from the study up until transcripts have been confirmed without consequences.
• Ask any questions about the study at any time during participation.
• Provide information on the understanding that your name will not be used.
• Be given access to a summary of the project findings when it is concluded.
• Ask for the recorder to be turned off at any time during the interview without consequences.

Please do not hesitate to contact either my supervisor or me at any time if you have any questions about the project. Contact details are as follows:

Researcher 
Zara Kant
Zara.Kant.1@uni.massey.ac.nz
Supervisor
Associate Professor Nicky Stanley-Clarke
N.Stanley-Clarke@massey.ac.nz 

This project has been reviewed and approved by the Massey University Human Ethics Ohu Matatika 3,  Application OM3 25/75. If you have any concerns about the conduct of this research, please contact the Chairperson, Massey University Human Ethics Ohu Matatika 3, email: humanethics3@massey.ac.nz 

Thank you for considering this request.
Ngā mihi nui,
Zara Kant