INFORMATION TO PARTICIPANTS INVOLVED IN RESEARCH

You are invited to take part in a study called “Exploring the Educational Support Needs of Tertiary Students who have left State ordered care.

Lead researcher, Dr Peter Gill from the College of Health and Biomedicine, is conducting the research project with Grace Killmer, Jarrod Weir, Carolina Aguirre, Dr Romana Morda, Dr Bert Oraison, Dr Laurie Chapin, Dr Daniel Loton, Dr Lizzie Knight, Reanna Clark, Mark Danko.

Project Explanation

The aim of this research project is interview VU self-identified care leavers to find out some of their challenges and the best ways to support them to complete their studies at VU and more broadly. The findings will help Victoria University support care experienced students.

What will I be asked to do?

If you consent, participation involves a one-to-one interview via zoom that will last 30 minutes (approx.). During these interviews, the researcher will be asking you questions regarding:

  •  Your experiences at university
  • Your experiences of support services at VU

What will I gain from participating?

Participants will be able to contribute by sharing their experiences as university that will be used to develop future programs to better support university students who have left home care.

On completion of the interview you will receive a $100 GiftPay voucher.

 How will the information I give be used?

the information you provide will be used in the production of a VU research report and the development of a program to support care leaver students.

The interviews will only be accessible by the Investigators, Peter Gill, Grace Killmer, Jarrod Weir, Carolina Aguirre, Dr Romana Morda, Dr Bert Oraison, Dr Laurie Chapin, Dr Daniel Loton, Reanna Clark, Mark Danko, and Dr Lizzie Knight. Participants’ confidentiality will be ensured in all future reports or publications produced from the study.

 What are the potential risks of participating in this project?

If you choose to participate in the interviews, we will take every precaution to ensure each participant’s confidentiality.

Furthermore, participation is voluntary. You will be free to withdraw at any time – before, during, or after the interview. If you do not want to participate simply ignore the initial email or SMS invitation or close the Qualtrics page without responding. You can request to have your data and all identifying information destroyed. The only exception to the latter is if your data has been submitted.

We appreciate that your time is valuable and thank you for participating.

You are welcome to contact any of the project investigators should you need clarification about the details of the study or if you experience distress at any point during or after your participation. Their contact details are listed at the bottom of this information sheet. Alternatively, you may contact a telephone counseling service such as Lifeline, 13 11 14, and Beyond Blue, 1300 22 4636, who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.

How will this project be conducted?

The research project will involve a one-on-one interview that will be conducted between you as the participant and one of the researchers via Zoom. The researchers will be asking more specific questions regarding your experiences at university. The interview will last approximately 30 minutes.

Who is conducting the study?

The College of Health and Biomedicine, Victoria University.

Principal Researcher

Dr Peter Gill (Peter.gill@vu.edu.au)

Associate Researchers:

Carolina Aguirre (Carolina.aguirre@vu.edu.au), Jarrod Weir (Jarrod.Weir@.vu.edu.au)

Grace Killmer (Grace.killmer@vu.edu.au), Dr Romana Morda (Romana.morda@vu.edu.au)

Dr Daniel Loton (Daniel.loton@vu.edu.au), Dr Laurie Chapin (Laurie.chapin@vu.edu.au)

Dr Bert Oraison (Bert.oraison@vu.edu.au) Dr Lizzie Knight (lizzie.knight@vu.edu.au)

Mark Danko (mark.danko@live.vu.edu.au) Reanna Clark (Reanna.clark@live.vu.edu.au)

Any queries about your participation in this project may be directed to the Principal Researcher listed above. If you have any queries or complaints about the way you have been treated, you may contact the Ethics and Biosafety Coordinator, Victoria University Human Research Ethics Committee, Victoria University, PO Box 14428, Melbourne, VIC, 8001 phone (03) 9919 4148.