New study to evidence outcomes for marginalised children

A new UCLH-hosted National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded study will address health, education and social care outcomes for marginalised children and young people. This work will explore what works, what does not work, identify important gaps in practice, law and policy - and consider what we might do to address these.

The AEGIS Project (Advancing equity for children and young people seeking asylum and refugees: a blueprint for generalisable interventions) explores inequities faced by children and young people seeking asylum and refugees (CYPSAR). This group of children and young people often experience multiple adverse events, such as illness, abuse, assault and symptoms of poor mental health. Their experiences can have life-long implications.

The NHS, national organisations and local initiatives aim to support these children and young people, but there is significant variation in provision for CYPSAR across England, including the extent to which services centre the preferences and experiences of children and young people themselves. The study will explore creative collaborations with CYPSAR to understand their needs and priorities. The research team will work creatively with them to identify evidence-based interventions, mitigate inequities and align UK policy with the UN Rights of the Child.

Dr Sarah Eisen, Principal Investigator:

“It is a privilege to work with such a diverse and talented team, including children and young people seeking asylum and refugees themselves, to understand their needs and priorities and to achieve meaningful and sustainable change.”

The project brings together a diverse team of clinical, academic, policy, migration, law, and social science experts from across the UK, including:

Principal Investigators:

Dr. Sarah Eisen– Clinical-academic Consultant Paediatrician, UCLH/UCL/LSHTM

Professor Michelle Heys– Consultant Paediatrician, NELFT, and NIHR Professor of Global Child Health, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UCL.

Co-investigators:

1. Professor Andrew Rowland – Consultant Paediatrician, Manchester NHS Foundation Trust and Officer for Child Protection, RCPCH
2. Dr. Niloha Rangel – National Health Advisor at Doctors of the World
3. Dr. Kate Lewis – Social Epidemiologist, UCL
4. Dr. Alice Armitage –  Clinical-academic Consultant Paediatrician, Barts Heath
5. Dr. Sveta Alladi – Consultant Community Paediatrician and Named Doctor for Looked After Children, ELFT
6. Dr. Ioannis Papadopoulos – Lecturer in Criminology specialising in the UNCRC and immigration, University of Salford
7. Dr. Marthe Le Prevost – Postdoctoral Senior Research Fellow, UCL
8. Dr Suparna Dasgupta – Consultant Paediatrician and Honorary Professor in Medical Education, Manchester NHS Foundation Trust
9. Dr. Allison Ward – Consultant Paediatrician for Vulnerable Children and Named Doctor for Safeguarding, CNWL
10. Dr. Bryony Hopkinshaw – Early career academic paediatrician, UCLH/LSHTM
11. Ms Grace Hastie – Policy Manager for Child Protection and Ethics, RCPCH
12. Donna Peach – Senior Lecturer in Social Work and Integrated Practice, University of Salford.

For more information, please email uclh.aegisproject@nhs.net.