COACHES - Study of mental health care for children and young people with social work involvement - Primary Care Unit

Title:	Study of mental health care for children and young people with social work involvement
Project Description:	Many children and young people with social work involvement experience mental health difficulties. Yet we do not know which young people get accepted or rejected for treatment, for instance after a referral is made by their GP or school. We know little about the mental health care they receive from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). We do not know what treatments lead to positive change for these young people. We also do not know how much these treatments cost. To address these knowledge gaps we will combine quantitative analysis of linked administrative health and education records, and co-produced qualitative analysis of case notes and semi-structured interviews. The research questions for our quantitative studies are: What are the socioeconomic and demographic factors, clinical needs, and long-term outcomes of young people with social work involvement whose referral is accepted or rejected by CAMHS? What CAMHS interventions predict better outcomes for which young people? What factors at intake (e.g. waiting list time) predict better outcomes for young people? What are the cost effectiveness and cost consequences of these forms of intervention? Our qualitative studies, co-produced with people who have experience of children’s social care and CAMHS involvement, have two research questions: How are young people and their social care needs characterised in CAMHS case notes? What is the experience of CAMHS among young people with social work involvement? The study will look at examples of children and young people with social work involvement in two areas of the UK – South London, and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Supported by the National Children’s Bureau, the study team will connect and engage with policymakers and parliamentarians. The team will share the objectives and findings of the research and provide crucial evidence on what works and what is less effective when it comes to CAMHS interventions with children and young people with social work involvement.
Project organisation
Start date:	1st October 2022
End date:	31st May 2025
Contact person:	Dr Robbie Duschinsky
Contact Details:	Primary Care Unit East Forvie Building Forvie Site, Robinson Way Cambridge Cambs CB2 0SR UK Telephone: tba E-mail: rd522@medschl.cam.ac.uk
Collaborative:	Taliah Drayak, Expert-by-Experience co-Investigator Rick Hood, Professor of Social Work at Kingston University Anna Feuchtwang, Chief Executive of the National Children’s Bureau
Funding information
Funding Organisation:	NIHR
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Funding Organisation:	What Works for Children’s Social Care
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Further Information, References and Publications
ASSG COACHES page : https://www.phpc.cam.ac.uk/pcu/research/research-groups/applied-social-science-group/coaches-study-of-mental-health-care-for-children-and-young-people-with-social-work-involvement/” ASSG News Release : https://www.phpc.cam.ac.uk/pcu/new-study-begins-decades-long-work-to-improve-mental-health-and-wellbeing-support-for-children-and-young-people/