Additional info
Analysis
Evidence Jam
Kent County Council's (KCC) children and young people's emotional support service: Evidence report
Between July 2024 and January 2025, Knowledge for Public Health (KNOW-PH) supported KCC in their work to commission an evidence-informed emotional support service for children and young people with low-moderate mental health need. This interactive report puts all the project's resources in one place.
Summary evidence and links
easy-to-access research findings
links to relevant research
Access short summaries of research findings
13 studies relevant to KCC's task
Read more
Read more
Suggested citation: Such, E. Marshall, F. Tattersall, A. Ahmed, N. and Langley, J. (2025) Kent County Council's (KCC) children and young people's emotional support service: Evidence report. KNOW-PH.
Additional info
Analysis
Evidence Jam
DISADVANTAGE
SOCIAL PRESCRIBING
Young people's perspectives on mental health support
Insights from CHildren & young people's Options in the Community for Enhancing wellbeing through Social prescibing (CHOICES)
COMMUNITY AND PEER LED SERVICES
A dance programme for children and young people
Read more
Read more
CBT
An online CBT tool for children with anxiety & delivered by parents
Read more
LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES
An evaluation of a complex intervention: Improving the mental health of the most vulnerable 16-25-year-olds in Central Bedfordshire
Read more
Read more
Additional info
Evidence Jam
Analysis
Enabling children and young people to thrive
INEQUALITIES AND DIVERSITY
CYP are diverse & experts of their own experience
Read more
Ten people from KCC and the Kent and Medway Integrated Care System discussed evidence with five research teams from across England in January 2025. Insights were shared, evidence discussed and challenges noted. Highlights Considerable strengths and assets in Kent to draw from. e.g. Family Hubs, vibrant VCS. Knowing what children and young people need to thrive: confidence, trusting relationships, supportive peers, supporters who understand their biographies. How to address the challenge of commissioning - KPIs, specifying services, blending group and one-to-one provision in a way that is responsive to individual need, using a 'stepped' approach to engaging young people.
group and individual support
Group-based support may be popular with CYP but challenging to commission
Read more
commissioning & GAPS
Brief models of intervention could be re-imagined
Read more
Additional info
Analysis
Evidence Jam
Designing a high quality system
High quality services - Rapid access & short waiting times
- Opportunitites to learn practical skills and strategies for self-care
- Individualised support
- Clear and accessible information
- Compassionate and competent staff
- Aftercare planning
Research published in 2024 identified the characteristics and principles of a strong system of CYP services.
The research focussed on systems to support CYP with common mental health problems. Much of the discussion at the Evidence Jam reinforced and reflected the findings of this research.
Four principles - Values that respect confidentiality
- Engagement and involvement of CYP at the core
- Collaborative relationships: with CYP, families and other disciplines and agencies
- A learning culture
Access the full research findings
Read more
Additional info
Analysis
Evidence Jam
Thank you
For further information and support contact: Knowledge for Public Health (KNOW-PH) know-ph@nihr.ac.uk www.know-ph.ac.uk
Contributions by: Chloe Chessell Ellie Holding Kerryn Husk Paula Reavey, Susie Sykes & Emma Doohan Katrina Wyatt
This programme is funded by the NIHR Public Health Research programme (Award number: NIHR159057). The
views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.
Suggested citation: Such, E. Marshall, F. Tattersall, A. Ahmed, N. and Langley, J. (2025) Kent County Council's (KCC) children and young people's emotional support service: Evidence report. KNOW-PH.
Return
"People's backgrounds, the context of the situations in which they're living are absolutely vital to know in advance. There were children and young people from minority ethnic backgrounds, other backgrounds of young carers whose lives were really complicated for them to participate in a Youth Theatre group. I think, you know, there were ones that did got a lot from it, but there were the ones that never got to that point because they didn't feel that they have enough time or that their needs were so specific.
For us, that biographical specificity is important and needs to be advertised in that really specific way to different kinds of groups" (Researcher at the Jam)
CYP are diverse, grow & change and recognise inequality
COMMISSIONING A NEW SERVICE NEEDS TO BE TAILORED AND MAY NEED MORE IMAGINATIVE OUTCOME MEASURES that include changes over time
Diversity and inclusion were important in discussion, leading people to think more about what measures could be used to understand CYP's wellbeing and aligning those with their perspectives. This meant attending to CYP's sense of identity and belonging: "what did being a TR14er mean to them? ... when they put on their T-shirts and danced, they knew they enjoyed it, but they really wanted us to capture what they felt was the magic of the group" (Researcher at the Jam)
Could Kent commission support using a broader than usual range of monitoring/outcome measures? And how can these grow and change with CYP?
Return
Plain English research summaries
infographics, policy briefs and summaries
Return
Tr14ers is a dance programme run by and for young people
police changed the way they did things producing good results
Tr14ers uses a relational, strengths-based approach to supporting young people’s health. One year after the Tr14ers started:
- 60% drop in antisocial behaviour
- 90% reduction in truancy
- Increased educational attainment with 50% of young people achieving 5 GCSEs grade C or above
- Police estimated that ten young people a year were prevented from being labelled a persistent young offender producing a saving of £100,000 per person.
Return
Online Support and Intervention (OSI)
OSI is a brief, online therapist guided, parent-led cognitive behavioural therapy intervention for children with anxiety problems. Designed with parents, children and therapists. OSI worked better in real world settings than it did in its trial. It is accessibile for lots of families and has the potential to increase access to effective treatment.
osi takes substantially less therapist time to deliver than usual treatment. child outcomes are not compromised.
Return
Return
Evaluation of a complex programme for young people in Central Bedfordshire
A Population Health Management approach could
better meet vulnerable YP's mental health needs
The intervention by Central Bedfordshire Council was complex, having 4 components:
- Upskilling the workforce
- Building resilience in young people
- Creating Community Collaboration Hubs
- Using wellbeing navigators to connect young people to support
Main findings Young people
Improved readiness for life transitions; positive markers of engagement, satisfaction and acceptability of iinterventions. Implementation of a PHM approach
Data integration and insights supported service design, with gaps in social markers and social care data which impacted ability to target the most vulnerable groups. YP’s lived experiences of interventions revealed insight to support service re-design and re-commissioning.
Return
The model of 'brief intervention'
GAPS
resources & longer term support may not conflict
discussion focussed on older age groups. further thinking needed for younger (ESP. PLAY). FAMILY PROGRAMMES COULD ALSO BE EXPLORED FURTHER
Interventions may be typically brief; around 6-8 weeks. The model of support the evidence pointed towards was one that builds trust, inclusion and relationships. The commissioning challenge is ensure:
- Need is met
- That it fits within resource
- That support is equitable
Drawing on wider community networks seems necessary but adds to the commissioning challenge.
Some options?Social prescribing model with KCC offering support for 6-8 weeks. Commissioning established services in the community that have a follow-on/longer term offer e.g. linked youth groups after 8 weeks where participation is voluntary. Commissioning link or support workers to ensure CYP are connected to appropriate help after 8 weeks. Cross-agency core coordinating/central body that can draw together collective knowledge and resources to ensure longer term support.
Return
Findings on delivering support in groups:
- In contrast to schools, YP consistently discussed the importance of youth groups for mental health, identifying them as a kind of therapy.
- “Safe space” to “escape from home” – informal support in a trusted setting.
- Socialisation and peer support with likeminded CYP facing similar issues.
- Accessible, affordable and tailored to their needs.
- Based within local communities.
- Trusted relationships with staff.
- It was clear that youth groups were plugging much needed gaps in existing service provision.
Young people living in disadvantaged areas saw inequalities in mental health
“There's the [youth organisation] and
that's where me and my other mates go on a Wednesday ... they help me a lot with stuff that's going on and it helps because like all me mates are there" (young person in South Yorkshire)
Return
Group and individual work with CYP. What works?
using stepwise and tailored approaches
Challenges Commissioning a flexible model e.g. number and range of activities for different groups of young people with varying biographies and backgrounds. Making sure the commissioning specification remains robust so that it can be contracted well and performance can be monitored.
The presentations and discussion highlighted the opportunities and challenges of engaging CYP in group and individual support sessions. Group work is often preferred by CYP, especially when they are with trusted friends in safe, comfortable places ("done in the right way with the right people" in the right places). Peer-led interventions like TR14ers are likely more empowering than adult-led. Peer-led programmes encouraged confidence building, a sense of control and belonging. Some CYP (including some neurodiverse children) may not want this and an individualised approach may be needed at first but there could be a goal of more group involvement in the longer term. Involvement in positive group activities may have protective mental health qualities and encourages thriving. Diversity of people and places should be reflected in activities. CYP should be enabled to define what is suitable for them. Group activities like dance and theatre are potentially quite a different model of support compared to traditional group therapy (and perhaps clinical 'therapeutic' language should be avoided?) Flexibility is key.
Return
social prescribing is likely preventative
Social prescribing for CYP is in a formative phase but is promising
What do CYP want from their communities?• Trusted people • Shared identities • Access/affordability • Safety
• Participation • Sports clubs/activities
KKC/KNOW-PH report
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Transcript
Additional info
Analysis
Evidence Jam
Kent County Council's (KCC) children and young people's emotional support service: Evidence report
Between July 2024 and January 2025, Knowledge for Public Health (KNOW-PH) supported KCC in their work to commission an evidence-informed emotional support service for children and young people with low-moderate mental health need. This interactive report puts all the project's resources in one place.
Summary evidence and links
easy-to-access research findings
links to relevant research
Access short summaries of research findings
13 studies relevant to KCC's task
Read more
Read more
Suggested citation: Such, E. Marshall, F. Tattersall, A. Ahmed, N. and Langley, J. (2025) Kent County Council's (KCC) children and young people's emotional support service: Evidence report. KNOW-PH.
Additional info
Analysis
Evidence Jam
DISADVANTAGE
SOCIAL PRESCRIBING
Young people's perspectives on mental health support
Insights from CHildren & young people's Options in the Community for Enhancing wellbeing through Social prescibing (CHOICES)
COMMUNITY AND PEER LED SERVICES
A dance programme for children and young people
Read more
Read more
CBT
An online CBT tool for children with anxiety & delivered by parents
Read more
LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES
An evaluation of a complex intervention: Improving the mental health of the most vulnerable 16-25-year-olds in Central Bedfordshire
Read more
Read more
Additional info
Evidence Jam
Analysis
Enabling children and young people to thrive
INEQUALITIES AND DIVERSITY
CYP are diverse & experts of their own experience
Read more
Ten people from KCC and the Kent and Medway Integrated Care System discussed evidence with five research teams from across England in January 2025. Insights were shared, evidence discussed and challenges noted. Highlights Considerable strengths and assets in Kent to draw from. e.g. Family Hubs, vibrant VCS. Knowing what children and young people need to thrive: confidence, trusting relationships, supportive peers, supporters who understand their biographies. How to address the challenge of commissioning - KPIs, specifying services, blending group and one-to-one provision in a way that is responsive to individual need, using a 'stepped' approach to engaging young people.
group and individual support
Group-based support may be popular with CYP but challenging to commission
Read more
commissioning & GAPS
Brief models of intervention could be re-imagined
Read more
Additional info
Analysis
Evidence Jam
Designing a high quality system
High quality services- Rapid access & short waiting times
- Opportunitites to learn practical skills and strategies for self-care
- Individualised support
- Clear and accessible information
- Compassionate and competent staff
- Aftercare planning
Research published in 2024 identified the characteristics and principles of a strong system of CYP services.
The research focussed on systems to support CYP with common mental health problems. Much of the discussion at the Evidence Jam reinforced and reflected the findings of this research.
Four principles- Values that respect confidentiality
- Engagement and involvement of CYP at the core
- Collaborative relationships: with CYP, families and other disciplines and agencies
- A learning culture
Access the full research findings
Read more
Additional info
Analysis
Evidence Jam
Thank you
For further information and support contact: Knowledge for Public Health (KNOW-PH) know-ph@nihr.ac.uk www.know-ph.ac.uk
Contributions by: Chloe Chessell Ellie Holding Kerryn Husk Paula Reavey, Susie Sykes & Emma Doohan Katrina Wyatt
This programme is funded by the NIHR Public Health Research programme (Award number: NIHR159057). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.
Suggested citation: Such, E. Marshall, F. Tattersall, A. Ahmed, N. and Langley, J. (2025) Kent County Council's (KCC) children and young people's emotional support service: Evidence report. KNOW-PH.
Return
"People's backgrounds, the context of the situations in which they're living are absolutely vital to know in advance. There were children and young people from minority ethnic backgrounds, other backgrounds of young carers whose lives were really complicated for them to participate in a Youth Theatre group. I think, you know, there were ones that did got a lot from it, but there were the ones that never got to that point because they didn't feel that they have enough time or that their needs were so specific. For us, that biographical specificity is important and needs to be advertised in that really specific way to different kinds of groups" (Researcher at the Jam)
CYP are diverse, grow & change and recognise inequality
COMMISSIONING A NEW SERVICE NEEDS TO BE TAILORED AND MAY NEED MORE IMAGINATIVE OUTCOME MEASURES that include changes over time
Diversity and inclusion were important in discussion, leading people to think more about what measures could be used to understand CYP's wellbeing and aligning those with their perspectives. This meant attending to CYP's sense of identity and belonging: "what did being a TR14er mean to them? ... when they put on their T-shirts and danced, they knew they enjoyed it, but they really wanted us to capture what they felt was the magic of the group" (Researcher at the Jam)
Could Kent commission support using a broader than usual range of monitoring/outcome measures? And how can these grow and change with CYP?
Return
Plain English research summaries
infographics, policy briefs and summaries
Return
Tr14ers is a dance programme run by and for young people
police changed the way they did things producing good results
Tr14ers uses a relational, strengths-based approach to supporting young people’s health. One year after the Tr14ers started:
Return
Online Support and Intervention (OSI)
OSI is a brief, online therapist guided, parent-led cognitive behavioural therapy intervention for children with anxiety problems. Designed with parents, children and therapists. OSI worked better in real world settings than it did in its trial. It is accessibile for lots of families and has the potential to increase access to effective treatment.
osi takes substantially less therapist time to deliver than usual treatment. child outcomes are not compromised.
Return
Return
Evaluation of a complex programme for young people in Central Bedfordshire
A Population Health Management approach could better meet vulnerable YP's mental health needs
The intervention by Central Bedfordshire Council was complex, having 4 components:
- Upskilling the workforce
- Building resilience in young people
- Creating Community Collaboration Hubs
- Using wellbeing navigators to connect young people to support
Main findings Young people Improved readiness for life transitions; positive markers of engagement, satisfaction and acceptability of iinterventions. Implementation of a PHM approach Data integration and insights supported service design, with gaps in social markers and social care data which impacted ability to target the most vulnerable groups. YP’s lived experiences of interventions revealed insight to support service re-design and re-commissioning.Return
The model of 'brief intervention'
GAPS
resources & longer term support may not conflict
discussion focussed on older age groups. further thinking needed for younger (ESP. PLAY). FAMILY PROGRAMMES COULD ALSO BE EXPLORED FURTHER
Interventions may be typically brief; around 6-8 weeks. The model of support the evidence pointed towards was one that builds trust, inclusion and relationships. The commissioning challenge is ensure:
- Need is met
- That it fits within resource
- That support is equitable
Drawing on wider community networks seems necessary but adds to the commissioning challenge.Some options?Social prescribing model with KCC offering support for 6-8 weeks. Commissioning established services in the community that have a follow-on/longer term offer e.g. linked youth groups after 8 weeks where participation is voluntary. Commissioning link or support workers to ensure CYP are connected to appropriate help after 8 weeks. Cross-agency core coordinating/central body that can draw together collective knowledge and resources to ensure longer term support.
Return
Findings on delivering support in groups:
Young people living in disadvantaged areas saw inequalities in mental health
“There's the [youth organisation] and that's where me and my other mates go on a Wednesday ... they help me a lot with stuff that's going on and it helps because like all me mates are there" (young person in South Yorkshire)
Return
Group and individual work with CYP. What works?
using stepwise and tailored approaches
Challenges Commissioning a flexible model e.g. number and range of activities for different groups of young people with varying biographies and backgrounds. Making sure the commissioning specification remains robust so that it can be contracted well and performance can be monitored.
The presentations and discussion highlighted the opportunities and challenges of engaging CYP in group and individual support sessions. Group work is often preferred by CYP, especially when they are with trusted friends in safe, comfortable places ("done in the right way with the right people" in the right places). Peer-led interventions like TR14ers are likely more empowering than adult-led. Peer-led programmes encouraged confidence building, a sense of control and belonging. Some CYP (including some neurodiverse children) may not want this and an individualised approach may be needed at first but there could be a goal of more group involvement in the longer term. Involvement in positive group activities may have protective mental health qualities and encourages thriving. Diversity of people and places should be reflected in activities. CYP should be enabled to define what is suitable for them. Group activities like dance and theatre are potentially quite a different model of support compared to traditional group therapy (and perhaps clinical 'therapeutic' language should be avoided?) Flexibility is key.
Return
social prescribing is likely preventative
Social prescribing for CYP is in a formative phase but is promising
What do CYP want from their communities?• Trusted people • Shared identities • Access/affordability • Safety • Participation • Sports clubs/activities