Frontiers in Psychiatry (Nov 2021)

A Mixed-Methods Realist Evaluation of the Implementation and Impact of Community Forensic CAMHS to Manage Risk for Young People With Forensic and Mental Health Needs: Study Protocol

  • Rebecca Lane,
  • Rebecca Lane,
  • Sophie D'Souza,
  • Sophie D'Souza,
  • Sophie D'Souza,
  • Maria Livanou,
  • Jenna Jacob,
  • Jenna Jacob,
  • Jenna Jacob,
  • Wendy Riches,
  • Roz Ullman,
  • Anisatu Rashid,
  • Anisatu Rashid,
  • Anisatu Rashid,
  • Rosie Singleton,
  • Rosie Singleton,
  • Rosie Singleton,
  • James Wheeler,
  • Peter Fuggle,
  • Peter Fuggle,
  • Dickon Bevington,
  • Jessica Deighton,
  • Jessica Deighton,
  • Duncan Law,
  • Duncan Law,
  • Duncan Law,
  • Peter Fonagy,
  • Peter Fonagy,
  • Nick Hindley,
  • Nick Hindley,
  • Oliver White,
  • Oliver White,
  • Oliver White,
  • Julian Edbrooke-Childs,
  • Julian Edbrooke-Childs,
  • Julian Edbrooke-Childs

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.697041
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12

Abstract

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Introduction: Young people in contact with forensic child and adolescent mental health services present with more complex needs than young people in the general population. Recent policy has led to the implementation of new workstreams and programmes to improve service provision for this cohort. This paper aims to present the protocol for a national study examining the impact and implementation of Community Forensic Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (F:CAMHS).Methods and analysis: The study will use a mixed-methods Realist Evaluation design. Quantitative service activity and feedback data will be collected from all 13 sites, as well as questionnaires from staff. Non-participant observations and qualitative interviews will be conducted with staff, young people and parents/guardians from four focus study sites. An economic evaluation will examine whether Community F:CAMHS provides good value for money. The results will be triangulated to gain an in-depth understanding of young people's, parents/guardians' and staff experiences of the service.Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval was granted by the Health Research Association and UCL Ethics. The results will be disseminated via project reports, feedback to sites, peer-reviewed journal publications and conference presentations.

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