An exploration of the challenges in service provision across health and social care settings highlighted through the assessment of children and young people under the Mental Health Act: A study of care experienced children who have been deprived of their liberty.

Background Children and Young People (CYP) who are care experienced with acute mental and emotional health needs are falling between the gap in health and social care services. This in part, relates to lack of resources and funding leading to disputes across services regarding responsibility. These CYP have experienced trauma including abuse and neglect, rejection, bereavement, and loneliness and are in hospital (health provision) or in community-based secured accommodation (social care provision). In crisis, these CYP present for assessment under the Mental Health Act which highlights the deficit in services but cannot resolve complex legal arrangements. The impact on these CYP is that they are not in receipt of services to support their health, safety and emotional wellbeing and their opportunity to thrive is severely limited. Research Question An exploration of the challenges in service provision across health and social care settings highlighted through the assessment of children and young people under the Mental Health Act: A study of care experienced children who have been deprived of their liberty. Aims To examine the experience of CYP who are deprived of their liberty in hospitals and secured environments within the community To develop an understanding of how the legal frameworks apply to CYP who require care and/or treatment in secured environments To understand the perspective of key stakeholders who are responsible for making decisions in relation to CYP who are deprived of their liberty To explore evidence of health and social care perspectives on children and young people living in secured environments Methods This research has three key stages which will be supported by guidance from two advisory groups. Stage 1 (0-18 months) is a systematic review of existing literature with a view to synthesising the data and guide decisions about research enquiry across the project. Stage 2 (12-36 months) will be a thematic case analysis of case files of CYP who have been deprived of their liberty (n=15) to chronologise and identify where patterns, themes or differences emerge. In Stage 3 (36-60 months) stakeholder interviews will be undertaken to build a picture of how decision making in relation to CYP. Situational Analysis (SA) will be used to map the key elements influencing decision making including; broader context of current situation; organisational factors and areas of contested or debated issues. Impact and Dissemination Academic findings from the systematic review will be produced from 24 months to contribute to an evidence base for understanding the context of CYP deprived of their liberty. By the conclusion of the project, practice guidance for social workers will be developed and disseminated. In consultation with the advisory groups information for CYP who are deprived of their liberty will be produced. The findings of the project will be made available on open access publications and disseminated across a professional network of regional, national and international groups making use of digital platforms. Training events and conferences will be facilitated and informed by the project findings to enhance professional knowledge and skills.