Engaging Gypsies and Travellers: Researching need in Devon

1
Engaging Gypsies and Travellers Researching need
in Devon

• Presentation by
• Dr Zoë James Dr Rebekah Southern
• 19th April 2007

2
Introduction

• The research context
• Methodology following good practice
• Positive outcomes
• Lessons to be learned
• Conclusion

3
The Research Context

• Who are Gypsies and Travellers?
• Gypsy and Traveller welfare matters
• Housing Act 2004
• Devon-wide Gypsy and Traveller accommodation
  needs assessment

4
Methodology

• Literature Review
• Secondary Research
• Survey
• Interviews and focus groups
• Consultation
• Report

5
Methodology

• Working with good practice
• Following the Cambridge model
• Improving community engagement
• Gypsies and Travellers as interviewers
• Representing all Gypsies and Travellers
• Capacity building in the community
• Applying ODPM guidance

6
Positive Outcomes

• Funding attained!
• Piloting process informed
• Access improved
• Sample diverse
• Excellent response

7
Lessons to be learned

• Reliability
• Locating interviewers
• Training time limited
• Lack of research skills
• Potential for bias
• Poor completion of forms
• Lack of understanding of sampling process

8
Conclusion

• Needs assessment process as part of community
  governance
• Incorporating Gypsies and Travellers within
  research process works
• Caution in placing Gypsies and Travellers in the
  field with limited training

9

• SRRU
• Social Research Regeneration Unit
• Faculty of Social Science Business
• University of Plymouth
• Drake Circus
• Plymouth
• PL4 8AA
• t 01752 232747
• f 01752 233813
• e srru_at_plymouth.ac.uk