Dr. Anita Franklin

I am a Reader in Children and Family Research within the Children and Families themes of CTEHR and I have responsibility for our work concerning the involvement of children, young people and their families. My background lies in childhood studies and children’s rights. I have combined a research career in academia and within the voluntary sector where I have been able to apply my research to maximise policy and practice impact. I studied for my PhD at York University and for a number of years worked within the Social Policy Research Unit, York University. Through my work there I developed a specific interest in the lives of disabled children and young people and the application of the social model of disability to the areas of choice, participation and inclusion of disabled children and young people. All of my research involves giving a “voice” to children and young people through making research accessible to them as participants, through giving a voice to those seldom heard or through empowering them to be co-researchers and co-producers of research. 

• Franklin A. and Doyle, L. (2013) Still at Risk: A Review of Support for Trafficked Children. London: The Refugee Council and Children’s Society.
• Clarke, S., Sloper, P., Moran, N., Franklin, A., and Beecham, J. (2011) Multi-agency transition services: greater collaboration needed to meet the priorities of young disabled people with complex needs as they move into adulthood. Journal of Integrated Care 19(5), 30-40.
• Franklin, A. and Knight, A. (2011) Someone on our side: Advocacy for disabled children and young people. London: The Children’s Society.
• Sloper, P., Beecham, J., Clarke, S., Franklin, A., Moran, N., and Cusworth, L., (2010) ‘Models of Multi-agency Services for Transition to Adult Services for Disabled Young People and Those with Complex Health Needs: Impact and costs', Social Policy Research Unit, University of York.
• Martin, K. and Franklin, A. (2010) Disabled Children and Participation in the UK: Reality or Rhetoric? in A Handbook of Children and Young People’s Participation Perspectives from Theory and Practice. Ed. by Percy-Smith, B. and Thomas, N. Oxon: Routledge.
• Mitchell, W., Franklin, A., Greco, V., and Bell, M. (2009) Working with Children with Learning Disabilities and/or who Communicate Non-verbally: Research experiences and their implications for social work education, increased participation and social inclusion. Social Work Education Journal 28, 3, 309-324.
• Franklin, A and Osborne C. (2009)  Independent reviewing officers' communicating with children with complex communication needs: an investigation for DCSF. London: The Children’s Society.
• Franklin, A. and Sloper, P. (2009) Supporting the Participation of Disabled Children and Young People in Decision-making, Children & Society, 23(1), 3-15.
• Willow, C., Franklin A., and Shaw, C. (2007) Meeting the Obligations of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in England. Children and Young People’s Messages to Government. London: Children’s Rights Alliance for England and National Children’s Bureau.
• Franklin, A. and Sloper, P. (2006) ‘The participation of disabled children and young people in decision-making within social services departments: A national survey’. British Journal of Social Work 36, 723-741.
• Franklin, A. and Sloper, P. (2005) ‘Listening and responding? Children’s participation in health care within England’. The International Journal of Children’s Rights 13(1-2), 11- 29.

• The sexual exploitation of young people with learning disabilities. 

• Supporting disabled young researchers to undertake research on behalf of The Office of the Children’s Commissioner into disabled children and young people’s views on the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 

• Co-production of a Guide to Participation of Disabled Young People in Decision-Making in the SEND Reforms. 

• Evaluation of the “Friendships for All” project to promote friendship opportunities for looked after disabled children. 

• Talking about Child Protection: The views and experiences of maltreated deaf and disabled children and young people about the child protection system. 

• Evaluation of Together for Short Lives’ project: Improving Children’s Palliative Care Engagement within the Special Educational Needs and Disability Reforms. 

• Evaluation consultancy to the Caring to Succeed Project. Carers Support Service. Warwickshire. 

• Scoping review of the practical care arrangements for trafficked children and those who may be trafficked: In partnership with Dr Lisa Doyle, The Refugee Council. 

• The participation of disabled children and young people in decisions about services. A participatory research study involving 16 disabled young researchers.