The use of safeguarding procedures in the management of bullying (V1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the use of safeguarding procedures in the management of bullying in a low secure hospital
IRAS ID
335662
Contact name
Katie E Jennings
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Priory Healthcare
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 29 days
Research summary
The study will take place at a low secure, private sector hospital which provides contracts to the NHS for patients with mental health disorders, personality disorder and forensic risks. The research aim is to explore how the current anti- bullying policy, and associated procedures, contribute to the identification and management of patients involved in bullying behaviours. The results of the research therefore have the potential to inform local procedures and protocol and therefore improve patient care and experience.
The overarching research question is: how does the use of safeguarding procedures, in response to reported bullying, influence the use of management strategies and supportive interventions for patients involved in bullying? This will be addressed using an exploratory design to address sub- questions regarding the prevalence and nature of bullying, whether there are differences in staff and patient reported incidents, the frameworks, interventions and management strategies used to support all patients involved in bullying; and the experience of patients supported by anti- bullying procedures.
A quantitative design will request patient participants complete a questionnaire administered by the researcher in the form of a structured interview. Staff participants will be requested to complete a questionnaire. An existing safeguarding log will also be quantitatively analysed. The qualitative design will explore responses to bullying as experienced by patients.
All patients who have been admitted to the low secure service for at least a month prior to the collection of data, and whose multi- disciplinary care teams deem are stable in mental state and have the cognitive ability at the time of data collection, to consent to the research will be offered the opportunity to take part. All staff who have been in role for at least a month at the time of data collection will be eligible. The study will last for approximately 9 months.
REC name
North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/NW/0382
Date of REC Opinion
5 Feb 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion