Foundations grant opens window on better screening

The Unit has been awarded a grant by the UK Nuffield Foundation to develop a more accurate way of measuring the well-being of children with special educational needs.

Part of continuing efforts to improve outcome measurement techniques for all children, the project adds a new aspect to our partnership with Birmingham City Council. Trials will be based on a modified version of the quality of life measurement tool, Kidscreen-52.
 
A revised questionnaire will be tested in Birmingham special schools among children experiencing barriers to learning including communication difficulties, autistic spectrum problems or visual and hearing impairments.
 
Preliminary testing has been ‘cognitive interviewing’ techniques – an analysis of questions and answers to iron out problems with language and and meaning.
 
Birmingham teaching assistants are being trained for a bigger pilot study during the 2009 summer term. At least 300 children will complete the questionnaire and its reliability and scientific properties will be assessed.
 
If all goes well, the new instrument will be used to assess the circumstances of children who are typically hard to reach, so informing strategic development and service design in Birmingham and elsewhere.