Exploring Mental Health Support Teams in schools

Evaluating the implementation of the Transforming Children and Young People’s Mental Health Provision Green Paper

FOR

Schools / Colleges

This page provides information for schools/colleges about Work Package 5 of the Exploring Mental Health Support Teams in Schools project, which will explore the experiences and outcomes of receiving support from a Mental Health Support Team (MHST) in selected areas across England

What are the criteria for my school to take part in the Exploring Mental Health Support Teams in Schools project?

Data collection will take place in various regions across England.

We will recruit children, young people and parents/carers to participate in this study through selected Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs).

How will the Exploring Mental Health Support Teams in Schools project benefit schools and children and young people?

As part of the Exploring Mental Health Support Teams in Schools project, the research team will examine the outcomes and experiences of receiving support from Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) in schools. These findings could help improve mental health support in schools, ultimately benefiting the wellbeing of children and young people.

Once the data has been collected and analysed, we will send infographics and report summaries to all participating Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs). This will enable them to use our findings to enhance the support provided to children and young people in your school.

Will children and young people’s answers be anonymous?

  • Answers to the surveys will be anonymised and will only be accessible to the researchers and the school’s Mental Health Support Team (MHST) staff.
  • Answers to the interview and focus group questions will also be anonymised and will only be accessible to the researchers.
  • Neither your school nor your school’s MHST will be named in the report or published articles.

When is the study taking place?

We are currently aiming to collect data from April 2025, but this may be subject to change.

Can I receive further information?

If your school has implemented a Mental Health Support Team (MHST) and if it is one of the selected case study sites, the research team will contact your school’s MHST to recruit participants and can provide further information.