Clinicians’ perceptions of the mental health needs of young people in alternative provision educational settings: An exploratory qualitative analysis

ABSTRACT

It is estimated that 1 in 2 young people who are educated in Alternative Provision (AP) educational settings have social, emotional and mental health difficulties. However, the extent to which the mental health needs of these young people are currently being met by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) is less clear. In this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 CAMHS practitioners who had worked with young people educated in AP settings to explore secondary health care service engagement. We analysed the data using thematic analysis. Findings suggest that young people educated in AP settings have complex mental health needs for which they are currently not receiving adequate support, due to shortcomings within AP schools and numerous external barriers to care. Implications for clinicians and service commissioners include a need for further integration between CAMHS and education services, and better quality support across AP settings.

KEYWORDS:

• School exclusion
• child and adolescent mental health
• CAMHS

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the CAMHS practitioners in this study for their time and participation particularly those who assisted with recruitment. HD is affiliated with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Specialist Biomedical Research centre for Mental Health at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundations Trust and Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, United Kingdom.

Disclosure statement

The authors are not aware of any conflicts of interest to declare.

Financial support

HD was supported by ADR UK (Administrative Data Research UK), an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) investment (part of UK Research and Innovation). [Grant number: ES/W002647/1]. The other authors received no specific funding for the research, authorship and publication of this article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sarah Kew-Simpson

Sarah Kew-Simpson is an Assistant Psychologist working in the NHS and holds an MSc in Clinical Forensic Psychology from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London.

Rebecca Williams

Rebecca Williams is an Assistant Psychologist working in the NHS and holds an MSc in Clinical Forensic Psychology from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London.

Dennis Kaip

Dennis Kaip has worked as a Higher Assistant Clinical Psychologist and as an Honorary Research Assistant at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London.

Nigel Blackwood

Nigel Blackwood is a Reader in Forensic Psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London and a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist.

Hannah Dickson

Hannah Dickson is a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology, at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London.