Summary of the impact

The CAMHS team at the University of Northampton have built expertise in CAMHS research that have regional, national and international impact, which has had an influence on regional practice in CAMHS, and through our training initiatives, has had an international reach. A key national priority for mental health service development and delivery for children has been widening access to the service to enable better interaction between specialist and universal services — enabling ease of referral, preventative mental health work, and a smoother experience of service provision for young people entering CAMHS. Expertise at Northampton builds on research evaluating the use of Primary Mental Health Workers (PMHWs) in Youth Offending Teams (YOTs) and with LAC (LAC), as well as research on professional training for mental health professionals more broadly. This research highlighted the importance of joined up working at the interface of primary and specialist services, to young people's access to mental health services, and to increase the responsiveness and appropriateness of these services in meeting young people's needs. Impact includes training of CAMHS workers, through both CPD initiatives and a Masters programme in CAMHS which has trained professionals from the UK and EU, as well as professionals from India and several African countries, who have used this expertise in CAMHS and primary care contexts around the world.

Summary of the impact

At a time when youth gangs were high on the UK and Scottish governments' agendas and a focus of media concern, this research was instrumental in changing understandings of the origins of youth gangs, and why they engage in violent conflict. A key insight was that significant gang behaviour had its origins in extreme forms of place attachment. The impact encompassed changes in policy direction and programmes aimed at tackling youth violence, including policies in Scotland such as `No Knives Better Lives'. Through very substantial publicity, including coverage on 2 primetime TV documentaries, the research informed public understandings, and challenged conventional wisdom on the nature, organisation and behaviour of youth gangs.

Summary of the impact

The University of Huddersfield's School of Education and Professional Development has produced an extensive body of research addressing the experiences and needs of educationally marginalised young people. This work has developed understanding of the experiences of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), learners in alternative education and those on low-level vocational programmes. Responding to stakeholder demands for a more nuanced insight into these problems and their possible solutions, research has been disseminated to practitioners, policymakers, voluntary organisations, local authorities and the wider public through conference presentations, keynote addresses and the media, benefiting user communities at local, regional and national levels.

Summary of the impact

National and international research findings were utilised to raise professional, political and faith-based awareness of the impact of abuse and exploitation on the educational, social and emotional development of children and young people considered to be `at risk'. The impact of the case study lies in its ability to portray, through the use of participatory research methodologies, the experiences of young people who have been the victims of abuse, neglect and human trafficking. Evidence collated indicates that the work has significantly increased national and local awareness and understanding, and led to specific organisational changes in policy and practice.

Summary of the impact

This case study draws on research on homeless and multiply excluded adults dating from 1997. The research has mainly been undertaken in collaboration with the Framework Housing Association in Nottingham, but has addressed an issue at the heart of government policy since 1990. The research has influenced the shaping of recent government responses to multiple disadvantage, guided commissioners and service providers in the field of supported housing and, through the use of participatory methodologies, enhanced the employability of some homeless people.

Summary of the impact

Research by Coleman (University of Leeds, 2007-present) on the disengagement of young people from political democracy has contributed to public debate about citizenship education and the need to build stronger connections between political and popular culture. This record of research directly informed the creation and development of `Youth Amplified', a suite of resources designed to inspire new ways for education providers to support young people in developing confident and effective speaking and listening skills.
Evidence of engagement with the `Youth Amplified' resources amongst leading education providers and over 200 schools across the UK can be used to demonstrate impact, as well as reported improvements of young people's ability to express themselves in public situations.

Summary of the impact

University of Reading research has raised awareness of a group that is often overlooked in policy and practice: young carers and families affected by HIV. It has revealed the factors that influence involvement and outcomes in young care-giving and identified the support needs for young people and those that they look after.

The research has led to newly funded support services in East Africa and the UK, international and national practice guidelines, and capacity-building among professionals. The impact has predominantly been the enhancement of wellbeing, health and social care, education, children's and families' rights and welfare provision.

Summary of the impact

The project:

1. Achieved positive changes in local health and social care policy and practice that directly responded to the concerns and experiences of older people;
2. Enhanced the knowledge and practice of practitioners and policy makers, at national and local levels, about the experiences of older people and carers of moving across service boundaries ("transitions");
3. Developed approaches that researchers and service commissioners and providers can employ to 1) involve marginalised older people in research and service development and 2) promote the citizenship of older people through their participation as co-researchers;
4. Made the research findings accessible to practitioners and service providers through feedback events and workshops.

Summary of the impact

Publication of the first major piece of research on young adult carers [YACs] has led to recognition of a `new' group of carers in policy and practice, and the development of two new psychometric instruments.

Raising awareness with Government, policy makers and service providers, has resulted in the provision of new services and support and further education provision for YACs across the UK, and the psychometric tools are now being used extensively by organisations including Comic Relief, The Government Innovation Fund, the BBC, and in a dozen countries.

Summary of the impact

Alan Grattan's research has had a number of impacts informing policy and practice around the inter-connected theme of `young people, radicalisation, and alienation'. His conference contributions and publications have led directly to his working with government agencies and NGOs particularly in Northern Ireland. His work has informed and continues to inform the approach of these agencies in working with young people in the community who may be at risk of entering into radicalised and violent activities.