School-based screening for childhood anxiety problems and intervention delivery: a codesign approach
Tamsin Ford,
Alastair Gray,
Cathy Creswell,
Victoria Williamson,
Obioha Ukoumunne,
Falko Sniehotta,
Mara Violato,
Ian McDonald,
Paul Brown,
Paul Stallard,
Michael Larkin,
Tessa Reardon,
Samantha Pearcey,
Claire Hill,
Susan H Spence,
Maria Breen,
Jason Stainer,
Michelle Sancho,
Roberta Button,
Iheoma Green,
Fran Morgan,
Bec Jasper
Affiliations
Tamsin Ford
University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
Alastair Gray
Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Richard Doll Building, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
Cathy Creswell
Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
Victoria Williamson
1 Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
Obioha Ukoumunne
NIHR Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula, Department of Health and Community Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences University of Exeter, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
Falko Sniehotta
Population Health Science Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Baddiley-Clark Building, Richardson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Mara Violato
Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Richard Doll Building, Old Road Campus, Oxford, UK
Ian McDonald
Nursing Department, Hamad medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
Paul Brown
Pathology department, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, UK
Paul Stallard
2 Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
Michael Larkin
Institute of Health and Neurodevelopment, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
Tessa Reardon
Department of Experimental Psychology, Anna Watts Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
Samantha Pearcey
Department of Experimental Psychology, Anna Watts Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
Claire Hill
Centre for Public Health, Queen`s University Belfast, Belfast, UK
Susan H Spence
Griffith University, 16 Russell Street South Bank, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Maria Breen
Thames Valley Clinical Trials Unit, University of Reading, Reading, UK
Jason Stainer
Stanley Primary School, Strathmore Road, London, UK
Michelle Sancho
West Berkshire Council, Council Offices, Market St, Newbury, UK
Roberta Button
Department of Experimental Psychology, Anna Watts Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
Iheoma Green
Department of Experimental Psychology, Anna Watts Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
Objectives A very small proportion of children with anxiety problems receive evidence-based treatment. Barriers to access include difficulties with problem identification, concerns about stigma and a lack of clarity about how to access specialist services and their limited availability. A school-based programme that integrates screening to identify those children who are most likely to be experiencing anxiety problems with the offer of intervention has the potential to overcome many of these barriers. This article is a process-based account of how we used codesign to develop a primary school-based screening and intervention programme for child anxiety problems.Design Codesign.Setting UK primary schools.Participants Data were collected from year 4 children (aged 8–9 years), parents, school staff and mental health practitioners.Results We report how the developed programme was experienced and perceived by a range of users, including parents, children, school staff and mental health practitioners, as well as how the programme was adapted following user feedback.Conclusions We reflect on the mitigation techniques we employed, the lessons learnt from the codesign process and give recommendations that may inform the development and implementation of future school-based screening and intervention programmes.
