BRA-conversations for children in precarious housing situations - a pilot study

BRA (Children’s rights as family members) conversations have been developed by the Children’s Welfare Foundation (Allmänna Barnhuset). BRA is a model designed to support staff in municipalities, county councils/regions and non-profit organisations regarding the procedure to follow when they focus attention on the rights of children as family members to receive information, advice and support.

A project being carried out in collaboration with Skarpnäck's district administration in Stockholm city focuses on families with children in precarious housing situations where the children are offered BRA conversations. The BRA model has therefore been further developed and adapted to this new target group. The aim of the pilot study is to investigate the use of BRA conversations with this group and, more specifically, the study will address the following research questions:

1. How does using the conversation guide function in relation to the child's circumstances when they live in a precarious housing situation?
2. How does using the conversation guide function in relation to the children's participation?
3. What feedback do the children give concerning their experience of the BRA conversations?
4. Do those leading the conversations with children in precarious housing situations perceive the BRA model to be appropriate, well-functioning, and “realistic” in relation to the purpose, target group and organisation?

The study is being conducted using a combination of methods. It builds on audio recordings of BRA conversations, audio-recorded feedback conversations between those leading the conversation and the children who have participated in BRA conversations, and thematically structured interviews with those who conduct BRA conversations with children living in precarious housing situations. The project is being carried out in collaboration with Skarpnäck's district administration and is financed by the Stockholm Fund.