Senior Research Fellow

I have worked in applied social research for over 20 years, initially at NatCen Social Research before setting up and running a successful applied social research consultancy, ResearchAbility. A qualitative specialist with expertise in conducting sensitive interviews, I have also worked on multiple mixed methods research and evaluation projects for a wide range of clients, including central government departments, charities, foundations and think tanks. When conducting research, I take a strengths-based, solution-focused and relational approach. I have also been actively involved in teaching on qualitative research methods and evidence-informed responses to child sexual abuse.

I joined the Safer Young Lives Research Centre in 2020, working until 2023 as Head of Evidence on the Department for Education funded Tackling Child Exploitation (TCE) Support Programme. This evidence-informed programme worked with local areas to strengthen their responses to child exploitation and extra-familial harm. As Head of Evidence, my role was to lead on developing and quality assuring the evidential basis of the programme.

Between 2022-23, the TCE team were re-commissioned to develop a set of Practice Principles for responding to child exploitation and extra-familial harm. Non-statutory guidance, endorsed cross-government, the Practice Principles are designed to support effective partnership working across different local contexts; providing a common language and framework to better respond to child exploitation and extra-familial harm.

I am passionate about the potential of applied social research to drive change in policy and practice. I have a strong track record of managing and delivering complex and challenging projects with partner organisations on time and in budget. My work has increasingly focused on child health and wellbeing and child sexual abuse. I work to the highest ethical standards and am part of the IASR ethics committee.

Qualifications

• 2014 - Essential Supervision Skills (BPS Approved Certificate in Clinical Supervision)
• 2013 - Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Coaching
• 1999 - Diploma in Adult Nursing, St Bartholomew’s School of Nursing & Midwifery, City University
• 1994 - BA (Hons) Russian and Soviet Studies, University of Manchester

Research Interests

• Responding to children and young people’s experience of child abuse and exploitation
• School exclusions and exploitation
• Safeguarding children and young people; the role of safeguarding partners
• Realist approaches to evaluation

Selected papers and publications

• Yeo, A; Kiff, J; Millar, H and Beckett, H (2023) Practice Principles for responding to child exploitation and extra-familial harm: research summary; TCE Programme
• Brodie, I; Beckett, H and Yeo, A (2023) Tackling Child Exploitation Risk Assessment Thematic Project, Tackling Child Exploitation (TCE) Support Programme
• Racher, A; Yeo, A (2021) Tackling Child Exploitation (TCE) Support Programme — Annual Learning Report 2020-21 Executive Summary, TCE Programme
• Roberts, E; Sharrock, S; Yeo, A; Graham, J; Turley, C and Kelley, N (2020) Safeguarding children from sexual abuse in residential schools, Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse
• Yeo, A; Graham, J (2017 unpublished) Feasibility study: how best to conduct research in residential schools on safeguarding and child sexual abuse, Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse

T: +44 (0)7928 128587
E: alice.yeo@beds.ac.uk