Summary of Research

This research explores how SWiS perceive the experiences of neurodiverse children in mainstream school settings. It focuses on how SWiS understand the challenges neurodiverse children face, the role they play in supporting students’ wellbeing and success, and the strategies they use within the school environment. The study also seeks to identify gaps in current practice and consider what more could be done within the education system to better support neurodiverse learners. By centring the perspectives of SWiS, this research aims to contribute practice based insights into inclusive, strengths focused approaches for neurodiverse children in schools. 

Kia ora!

Who am I?
My name is Dana Nicholson. I am a currently undertaking a small supervised research project as part of my Master of Applied Social Work programme in the School of Social Work, Massey University. The aim of this research is to explore how Social Workers in Schools (SWiS) perceive the experiences of neurodiverse children in mainstream schools?

The purpose of this information sheet is to invite you to be part of my research project.

What is this research about?
This research explores how SWiS perceive the experiences of neurodiverse children in mainstream school settings. It focuses on how SWiS understand the challenges neurodiverse children face, the role they play in supporting students’ wellbeing and success, and the strategies they use within the school environment. The study also seeks to identify gaps in current practice and consider what more could be done within the education system to better support neurodiverse learners. By centring the perspectives of SWiS, this research aims to contribute practice‑based insights into
inclusive, strengths‑focused approaches for neurodiverse children in schools.

I am inviting you to participate in my research if you meet the following criteria:

• A registered Social Worker in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
• Have worked as a social worker in school in the past five years.

What will I be asked to do?
It is anticipated that the interview will take approximately 45–60 minutes and will be recorded. The interview will be undertaken using Zoom. Participants will also be asked to allow approximately 10 minutes prior to the interview for preparation, and around 20 minutes after the interview to review the transcript once it has been provided. The precise timing of the interview will be negotiated with you. The interview will be short, simple and semi-structured and no discomfort to participants is anticipated. Topics covered in the interview include participants’ professional roles and experiences as SWiS, their understandings of how neurodiverse children experience school environments, and the ways in which they perceive their role in supporting these children.

The interview will also focus on how SWiS support the wellbeing and success of neurodiverse children, including the strategies, approaches, and relationships (such as with whānau and school
staff) that inform their practice. In addition, participants will be invited to reflect on challenges and barriers within schools and the wider education system, and to share their views on what changes or improvements are needed to better support neurodiverse children in mainstream education.

If you are interested in taking part in this research, please feel free to contact me by email at 25011502@massey.ac.nz  if you have any questions about the study or would like further information.

Once any questions have been answered and a suitable time for the interview has been agreed, I will then provide you with a consent form for review and completion prior to 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 for answering my research aim, as described above. Following the interview I will transcribe the data, so that the data remains confidential. I will then return the
transcription to you, to check its accuracy. Data and the consent forms will be safely stored on my password protected Massey OneDrive while the project is being completed and will be destroyed once my research report has been examined.

No names or other identifying details of individuals or organisations will be used in the report or publications. 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 consequence;
• Withdraw from the study up until transcripts have been confirmed;
• Ask any questions about the study at any time during participation;
• Provide information on the understanding that your name will not be used and all identifiable information will be anonymised;
• Be sent a copy of the final report when the project is concluded;
• Ask for the recorder to be turned off and data collection to be halted at any time during the interview without consequence.

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

Researcher 
Dana Nicholson
25011502@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.
Dana Nicholson
Student ID: 25011502
25011502@massey.ac.nz