Evaluating the implementation of whole school approaches (WSAs) to improve mental health and wellbeing in the Trailblazer schools

Evaluating the implementation of whole school approaches (WSAs) to improve mental health and wellbeing in the Trailblazer schools

In 2020, the DHSC funded the first wave of Mental Health Support Teams (MHST) known as ‘Trailblazer’ sites, to train Educational Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs).

This project aimed to develop an understanding of the components and mechanisms that underlie WSAs to improve mental health and wellbeing, and to gain insight into the implementation challenges and enablers of delivering a WSA.

This work found that:

• Substantial progress has been made in implementing the Trailblazer programme, and WSAs are widely welcomed.
• The presence of MHSTs and EMHPs is valued.
• Parents/carers felt supported by schools, with schools not just focusing on individuals.
• There are issues around a lack of funding for the programme, and a lack of clearly defined monitoring to ensure outcomes are achieved and evidenced.
• There are concerns over potential clashes between school behaviour policies and WSAs.
• Training and resources are needed for school staff to maximise the effectiveness of the programme

The study findings have been published in the International Journal of Qualitative Methods – (April 2022)

Read more: The Implementation of Whole-School Approaches to Transform Mental Health in UK Schools: A Realist Evaluation Protocol – Liam P Spencer, Darren Flynn, Amy Johnson, Gregory Maniatopoulos, James J Newham, Neil Perkins, Markku Wood, Helen Woodley, Emily J Henderson, 2022 (sagepub.com)

Project lead: liam.spencer@newcastle.ac.uk