Ethical research that centres on children, context and lived experience
Across the child protection sector, research plays a vital role in helping us understand children’s lives and strengthen the systems that support them. But research involving children - especially those facing exploitation, violence or marginalisation - also raises complex ethical questions.
- How do we ensure children are safe and respected in research?
- How do we support participatory and survivor-led approaches without exposing children or communities to harm?
- And how do we ensure that ethical reflection continues throughout the research journey - not just at the point of approval?
The Child Research Ethics Group (CREG) was created to respond to these challenges. CREG is a collaborative initiative led by Family for Every Child, Terre des Hommes Netherlands, and Children Unite. It brings together experienced researchers and practitioners committed to strengthening ethical practice in research involving children and young people.
Why the Child Research Ethics Group?
Many NGOs, independent researchers, and practitioners working with children do not have access to Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) or academic ethics committees. Even when they do, these mechanisms can sometimes feel distant from the realities of community-based research. At the same time, ethical review is increasingly required for publications, conferences, and funding applications. CREG was established to bridge this gap.
We believe that ethical research is not simply about gaining approval at the beginning of a project. It is about ongoing reflection, dialogue and support as ethical challenges emerge throughout the research process.
Our aim is to provide a sector-specific, participatory, and context-sensitive ethics review mechanism that helps researchers conduct work that is safe, credible, and grounded in children’s rights.
What makes this approach different?
The Child Research Ethics Group brings together a range of perspectives and expertise that are often missing from traditional ethics review systems.
Participatory expertise: CREG recognises and supports participatory, child-centred and survivor-led research approaches.
Contextual understanding: Ethical decisions must reflect local realities. What works in one setting may not work in another.
Ongoing ethical guidance: Rather than a single approval moment, CREG encourages dialogue and reflection throughout the research journey.
Child-centred thinking: Children’s perspectives, agency and wellbeing are placed at the heart of ethical decision-making.
Sector relevance: The mechanism focuses specifically on research related to child protection, care reform, and violence against children.
Who is it for?
The Child Research Ethics Group is designed for:
- NGOs and civil society organisations
- Independent researchers and consultants
- Practitioner-researchers working with children and young people
- Early-career researchers without access to university ethics boards
- Organisations conducting participatory or community-based research on children’s issues
Our vision
The Child Research Ethics Group exists to help ensure that research involving children is conducted with the highest levels of rigour, respect and accountability.
By combining global ethical standards with local knowledge and lived experience, we aim to support research that not only safeguards children and communities but also produces knowledge capable of driving meaningful change.
In a world where children’s voices are too often unheard, ethical research must do more than protect participants - it must create space for children’s perspectives, dignity and agency to shape the knowledge we produce.
Get involved
The Child Research Ethics Group is currently being developed and piloted. Over time, we hope to:
- Provide ethics review for research projects
- Support organisations navigating ethical dilemmas
- Offer guidance and training on participatory research ethics
- Build a community of practice around ethical research with children
If you are interested in learning more, collaborating, or accessing ethics support, we invite you to connect with us through the Changemakers for Children community.
How the ethics review works
The Child Research Ethics Group offers supportive, context-aware ethical review for research involving children and young people. Our approach is collaborative and reflective — designed to strengthen research practice rather than simply provide a one-time approval.
Here’s how the process works:
1. Initial enquiry
Contact the Child Research Ethics Group moderators with a short outline of your proposed research, including the topic, target group, and expected timeline. This helps us understand your needs and determine whether the group is the right fit to support your study.
2. Clarifying your support needs
We will follow up to discuss your research and what type of ethics support would be most useful. This might include:
- Reviewing a full research protocol
- Reviewing specific documents (such as consent forms or interview guides)
- Advising on how to develop an ethics plan for participatory research with children.
Together we agree on a timeline and review process that works for your project.
3. Submission of your research documents
You submit your research protocol or ethics-related materials for review. This might include:
- The research protocol or concept note
- Consent and assent forms
- Safeguarding procedures
- Data management plans
- Interview guides or research tools.
4. Ethics review by CREG
A small group of reviewers with relevant expertise is assigned to your submission. They assess the materials with a focus on:
- Safeguarding and risk mitigation
- Children’s rights and wellbeing
- Participatory and child-centred research approaches
- Contextual and cultural considerations.
5. Feedback and dialogue
CREG provides detailed written feedback on your research ethics approach.
We then meet with you or your research team to discuss the recommendations and explore how ethical considerations can be strengthened.
6. Revisions if needed
If changes are required, you may revise and resubmit your protocol or documentation.
This process continues collaboratively until we are satisfied that the ethical approach to the research is appropriate.
7. Ongoing ethics support
Ethical questions do not end once research begins.
CREG remains available as a sounding board during the research process, helping you reflect on ethical dilemmas, emerging risks, or changes to the study.
8. Learning and reflection
At the end of the research, we encourage researchers to share reflections on ethical challenges, good practices, and lessons learned. This helps strengthen collective learning on ethical research with children across the sector.
Is CREG the right fit for your research?
The Child Research Ethics Group is designed to support ethical research involving children and young people, particularly where traditional ethics review systems are not easily accessible. CREG may be a good fit for your research if:
You are working with children or young people
Your research involves children directly, or focuses on issues affecting children such as child protection, exploitation, migration, violence, or care.
You are conducting participatory or community-based research
Your project uses participatory approaches, child-led research methods, or involves collaboration with communities, practitioners, or survivors.
You do not have access to a formal ethics review board
You may be an NGO, independent researcher, practitioner-researcher, or early-career researcher without access to a university or institutional ethics committee.
You are seeking ethical reflection, not just approval
CREG provides supportive review and dialogue to strengthen ethical practice throughout the research process — not simply a one-off sign-off.
- Your research prioritises children’s safety, dignity and agency
- Your project aims to ensure that children’s rights, well-being, and participation are central to how research is designed and carried out.
Not sure?
If you are uncertain whether the Child Research Ethics Group is the right place for your research, we encourage you to get in touch with a short outline of your project.
How can I submit a protocol or get in touch?
Please reach out to [email protected] mentioning 'CREG'.