Generating essential evidence on who receives Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) support, which interventions lead to positive outcomes, and how these services can more effectively and efficiently support children and young people in need of social work involvement.
Why the research is needed?
There is currently very little information about which young people are accepted or rejected when referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, and we also lack understanding of which treatments lead to positive change or how much these treatments cost. Without this knowledge, some children and young people may fall through gaps in support, leading to worsening mental health. It is essential to understand which services effectively support children’s mental health so that funding can be allocated appropriately and efficiently.
What are we doing?
The project aims to examine the socioeconomic and demographic context, clinical needs and long‑term outcomes for Children and Young People with Social Work Involvement whose referrals to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in South London are accepted or rejected. Using anonymised health, education and social care records for young people, we will identify which treatments lead to positive outcomes, how factors such as poverty and ethnicity influence effectiveness, and what the associated costs are, supported by detailed analysis of clinical notes and interviews. We will then repeat the analysis in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, to check and extend our findings.
We will analyse South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust data to understand the characteristics of accepted and rejected CAMHS referrals and the long‑term outcomes for these young people, using anonymised case records where available. We will then develop a typology of CAMHS interventions, compare Children and Young People with Social Work Involvement to those without, and examine how different interventions relate to outcomes. These analyses will be replicated using data from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust. We will also assess the economic impact of the interventions identified. Finally, we will carry out co‑produced qualitative research, including analysis of clinical case notes and interviews supported by the ‘consent for contact’ register.
How are we working with communities, services and organisations?
This application was co-designed with experts by experience of both Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and social work services. Together, we shaped the study and are conducting interviews with professionals and with children and young people who have social work involvement to understand their experiences of CAMHS, including their journeys before accessing services and how they experience treatment. The project is further supported by a practitioner advisory group chaired by Luke Geoghegan, Head of Research and Policy at the British Association of Social Workers, ensuring strong collaboration with professionals and sector leaders.
What will the impact and benefits of this research be?
The COACHES study aims to support improved decision‑making, ensure young people receive the right help at the right time, and guide more effective and efficient investment in children’s mental health services. The research findings could have a significant impact on policy and practice in how social care and mental health services are shaped and delivered to children and young people over the next two decades. A further ambition of the project team is to contribute to the wider environment supporting children’s social care research.
What do we have planned for knowledge mobilisation and implementation?
Findings from COACHES will be shared with stakeholders through co‑produced dissemination methods, including academic publications and engagement with mass media. By analysing data across two NHS Trusts and producing clear evidence on effectiveness and cost‑effectiveness, we aim to inform and shape understanding of the complexities within these services and how best to support children. We will engage regularly with stakeholders to share emerging findings, and our public advisory group will help guide effective and accessible dissemination approaches.
Related papers, outputs and resources
Who is involved?
- Principal Investigator: Dr Robbie Duschinsky, University of Cambridge
- Professor Tamsin Ford, University of Cambridge
- Professor Rick Hood, Kingston University London
- Dr. Barry Coughlan, University of Cambridge
- Taliah Drayak, Expert from experience, University of Cambridge
- Jack Smith, Expert from experience, University of Cambridge
- Francesca Crozier-Roche, Expert from experience, University of Cambridge
- David Graham, The Care Leaver’s Association
- Dustin Hutchinson, National Children’s Bureau
- Dr. Ayla Humphrey, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
- Dr. Matt Woolgar, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
- Dr. Daisy Kornblum, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
- Dr Rudolf Cardinal, University of Cambridge
- Luke Geoghegan, Head of Policy and Research, British Association of Social Work
Get in contact
Email Dr Robbie Duschinsky at rd522@medschl.cam.ac.uk.
