Small Steps

The project runs from 2016 to 2021.

The project will investigate multi professional knowledge and practices toehter with parental knowledge, beliefs and behaviours related to managing children’s foot health. It will also describe, for the first time, the changes in foot structure and function that occur during the development of independent walking. Data will be collected on children in Manchester and Brighton.

The project will

• investigate current foot health knowledge and practices, and factors affecting these, in relevant parent, professional and industry groups
• document changes in foot structures and function during the development of independent walking

In the first work stream the researchers intend to

• investigate and critically appraise children’s foot health information and resources available to parents, health professionals and commercial organisations.
• Work directly with parents, health professionals and commercial organisations to investigate their understanding of children’s foot health.
• Study parental and professional knowledge and practices related to children’s foot health at a national scale.
• Create portfolios of evidence based public health messages to address the priorities identified by parents, health professionals and industry.

In the second work stream they will:

• Investigate changes in feet as children develop from sitting, standing and to walking independently.
• Investigate the influence of developmental factors such as body weight, ethnicity and age at which development occurs on the foot.

Research led by Dr Stewart Morrison will focus on understanding the beliefs of parents and health care professionals with regard to children foot health, and the factors that influence these. Professor Chris Nester of the University of Salford is leading work on how the foot develops as children start to walk independently. 

The anticipated impacts associated with this project are as follows

1. Parents, children and their families will benefit from the project through the provision of quality evidence based information about foot health in children.
2. Clinicians will benefit from the project though an improved scientific understanding of how feet develop and the factors influencing development
3. Industry will benefit from the project through new insight into children’s foot development, and understanding the perspectives of parents and professionals.
4. Researchers will benefit from the project through the high quality robust research which will offer new intelligence on how feet develop and how parents and professionals manage children’s foot health.