Study 1

Study team: Dr Sarah Wadd (sarah.wadd@beds.ac.uk), Maureen Dutton (maureen.dutton@beds.ac.uk), Michelle McCann (michelle.mccann@beds.ac.uk) and Professor Mike Fisher (michelle.mccann@beds.ac.uk)

BLMK ICS priorities

• Reduced inequalities in outcomes, experience, and access

Summary

Inclusion Health Groups are groups of people who experience very high levels of social exclusion and health inequalities. This study is about ‘Street Inclusion Health Groups’, that is, people who engage in street activities – ‘begging’, street drinking, public injecting, street sex work, and rough sleeping. There is a considerable intersection between these groups as well as common life experiences and risk factors including addictions, extreme poverty, complex trauma, violence, mental health conditions, criminal justice involvement, chaotic lifestyles, and risky behaviours. This study aims to conduct in-depth interviews and focus groups with different stakeholders across BLMK with an emphasis on the voice of Street Inclusion Health Groups.

Expected Impact

• To work collaboratively with colleagues from BLMK ICB, stakeholders, and, importantly, people from Street Inclusion Health Groups, and to utilise the East London NHS Foundation Trust Quality Improvement Method to develop an evidence-based strategy and ‘change ideas’ to reduce structural stigma
• To disseminate the findings beyond BLMK, for example, through a report and policy brief, publications in academic and practice journals presentations at practitioner and academic conferences, and via social media

Study 2

Study team: Professor Emily Munro (emily.munro@beds.ac.uk), Amy Lynch (amy.lynch@beds.ac.uk) and Seana Friel (seana.friel@beds.ac.uk)

BLMK ICS priorities

• Start Well
• Live Well

Summary

Care leavers meet the requirements for an "Inclusion Health Group," a major focus of "Core20PLUS5," and a priority for ICS evaluation and development since they endure pervasive and persistent disparities, including those related to poverty, homelessness, unemployment, and health. Compared to their counterparts who have not experienced care, looked after children and care leavers have higher rates of mental illness and report lower emotional well-being. At the national policy level, it is acknowledged that there is a need to close the knowledge gap and enhance integrated care for children in care and care leavers. Therefore, this study aims to enhance understanding of the mental health and well-being support needs of care leavers in BLMK, service availability, and barriers and enablers to access and uptake and promote system changes and practice developments.

Expected Impact

• To maximise learning and support system change and practice developments based on findings from WP1-5 and collaboration with the Networked Learning Community
• To engage in activities such as knowledge- exchange events and practice skills development workshops, developing resources or toolkits for practitioners

Study 3

Study lead: Alice Yeo (alice.yeo@beds.ac.uk)

BLMK ICS priorities

• Start well
• Live well
• Reducing inequalities

Summary

According to research, parents and carers of children and young people who are in danger of or who have experienced exploitation or extra-familial abuse do not believe that their voices are being heard in the replies they receive from services. The Department for Education-funded Tackling Child Exploitation (TCE) Support Programme was tasked with creating a set of evidence-based Practice Principles that would direct and influence multi- agency responses to extra-familial harm and child exploitation. The purpose of this project is to put into practice and assess the three practice principles related to voice: Putting children and young people first; Respecting children and young people's voice, experience, and knowledge; and, if possible, approaching parents and carers as partners.

Expected Impact

• To collaborate with multi-agency partners to collaborate on a new approach to practice
• To get an in-depth understanding of the barriers and facilitators to implementation of a systems-wide innovation – important learning for pan-beds services and beyond