Posted by lh845
27 January 2023This month, we conducted an interview with our EMHP and CWP Evaluation Lead, Hollie Gay. We discussed the Emerging Minds project which aims to understand the key contributing factors in the effective implementation of the Childrenās Wellbeing Practitioner (CWP) programme.
Can you start by telling us about the Emerging Minds project?
The Emerging Minds project came out of the success of the CWP programme. Regional data showed high completion rates, improved outcomes and low waiting times for children and young people accessing CWP support.
As a result of this, the CEDAR CREATE team submitted a bid to Emerging Minds and were successful in securing funding for a research project looking at the effective implementation of the CWP programme. We wanted to answer the following questions:
What does the project involve?
The first stage was to develop a questionnaire aimed at staff involved in the CWP programme, ranging from current trainees to qualified practitioners, service leads and commissioners. The questionnaire was sent out to staff across 3 voluntary sector organisations providing the CWP service, with the aim of identifying real-world factors that have supported the application of the programme.
We also sent out a questionnaire to children and young people aged between 11-18 and parent carers who had accessed CWP support.
What are your next steps?
We are currently in the process of organising interviews with staff, children, young people, and parent carers to gather further insights.
The final stage of the project will involve reviewing the feedback gathered through the questionnaires and interviews, to develop a toolkit of resources aimed at supporting effective implementation.
What have you learnt so far?
There are several emerging themes from the data that we have collected, so far. Children and young people reported having a positive experience of accessing the CWP service, saying that they felt listened to and supported, and that CWPs helped to build their confidence. However, often young people were not aware of the service prior to accessing support. With an increase in self-referrals from young people since the pandemic, this could be an important area for services to focus on.
Staff also reported a positive experience of the programme, highlighting that the low intensity workforce met an unmet need within their service. They identified that having leaders and supervisors trained in low intensity evidence-based practice was crucial to implementation and sustainability of the role.
How can I find out more?
In October 2022, the project team were invited to present initial findings at the Emerging Minds conference. This presentation can be viewed online here.
The final report and toolkit will be published on the CEDAR CREATE website in 2023.
If you would like to find out more in the meantime, please email: CREATEprojects-cedar@exeter.ac.uk.