Neuroscience research with the Anna Freud Centre, University College London

Kids Company’s many years of experience has shown that intensive and long-term work with children and young people reduces emotional and behavioural difficulties including self-harm, substance misuse and aggression.

Emotional and behavioural difficulties may be brought about by changes in brain function caused by abuse or neglect.

In order to explore this clinically, Kids Company is seeking to collaborate with the Anna Freud Centre, University College London to investigate brain changes in children who have suffered significant trauma.

By using electroencephalography (EEG) – placing electrodes on the head and measuring brainwaves – the research, led by Professor Peter Fonagy, will investigate the different brain functioning between neglected and abused children and children who have not had these experiences.

Researchers will also measure stress hormone levels and heart rate as other biological markers of emotional and behavioural problems.

The research is a unique partnership between clinicians and young people which came out of young people’s desire to understand their behaviour.

Experience has shown us that young people appreciate being better informed about the challenges they face, including having appropriate clinical knowledge and the tools to be able to manage their own behaviour.

Young people aged 13-17 years old will be offered the opportunity to participate in the research after careful discussion with carers and giving informed consent. The research will be conducted under University College London and the Anna Freud Centre’s ethical guidelines.

We are currently fundraising for this project. For more information contact
Laurence Guinness.