Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Co-production and Feasibility RCT of Intervention to Improve the Mental Health of Children With a Social Worker

This research is looking into a new service called Infant Parent Support (IPS) for very young children (aged 0-5) who have mental health worries and are also supported by a social worker. The main goal is to work with parents to develop this new service and then see if it's possible to carry out a bigger study to compare IPS with the support families usually receive. We want to find out if IPS can help improve mental health for these children. This initial study will help us understand if the new service is practical and if a larger trial would be useful. It's an important step to make sure any new support is helpful and easy to take part in.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Glasgow

Enrolment target

Start

18 May 2023

Estimated completion

01 Feb 2025

Parent-Child Relations Child Mental Disorder Child Maltreatment

What is this study about?

This study is about creating and testing a new support service for young children aged 0 to 5. We know that some young children who have a social worker might also be struggling with their mental health. The new service is called 'Infant Parent Support' (IPS), and it brings together different health professionals to help both the children and their parents or guardians.

The main idea behind this project is to create the IPS service together with parents. We want to make sure the service is truly helpful and designed in a way that works best for families. After developing the service, the next step is to see if it's possible to run a larger, more detailed study to compare IPS with the standard support that families currently receive. This is called a 'feasibility study', meaning we're checking if a bigger trial is practical and well-designed.

Ultimately, the goal is to improve the mental health of these young children. By working with parents and carefully testing how the service is delivered, we hope to find better ways to support families and ensure children get the help they need early in life.

Key takeaways

A new support service (IPS) is being developed for young children (0-5) with mental health concerns and a social worker.
Parents are playing a key role in designing this new service.
The study aims to see if a larger comparison study of IPS versus usual care would be practical.
It focuses on families in Glasgow or Bromley.
The ultimate goal is to improve mental health support for these children.
Taking part helps shape future healthcare for young families.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, families need to be living in either the Glasgow or Bromley areas. You would also need to have a child aged between 0 and 5 years old who is experiencing some mental health concerns and is currently working with a social worker. Additionally, your family should have a multi-agency support plan in place, which means different professionals are working together to help your family.

There are also some reasons why a family might not be able to join the study. For example, if your child has a Child Protection Plan (CPP) or is on the Child Protection Register (CPR), you wouldn't be able to take part. Similarly, if your family is in the process of moving away from a CPP or CPR, you also wouldn't be eligible. Lastly, if your child is already receiving other therapy or counselling, they wouldn't be able to join this study.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Is your child aged between 0 and 5 years old?
Does your child have some mental health concerns?
Does your family currently work with a social worker?
Do you have a multi-agency support plan in place?
Do you live in Glasgow or Bromley?
Is your child NOT currently on a Child Protection Plan or Register, or stepping down from one?
Is your child NOT currently receiving other therapy or counselling?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This is a study focused on developing a service with parents and checking if a larger study is possible. If you take part, you would be involved in helping to design the new Infant Parent Support (IPS) service with the research team. This could involve attending meetings or workshops to share your experiences and ideas.

You would also help us understand if a larger study comparing IPS to usual care would work well. This might involve surveys or conversations to find out if it's easy to recruit families and if they stay involved in the study over time (for example, at 3 and 6 months). There won't be any new medication prescribed as part of this study, and the total duration of your participation would depend on which part of the study you're involved in, but it's likely to be over several months.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study offers the benefit of helping to shape a new support service for families like yours, aiming to improve mental health for young children. Your insights are invaluable in making sure the service is practical and effective. While there are no direct medical risks, discussing sensitive personal information might be emotionally challenging for some. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without any need for explanation, and this will not affect the care your family receives.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

London Borough of Bromley
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is 'Infant Parent Support' (IPS)?

IPS is a new service that brings together different health experts to help children aged 0-5 with mental health worries who also have a social worker.

Why are you asking parents to help design the service?

We believe that working with parents is the best way to create a service that truly helps families and meets their needs.

What does 'feasibility study' mean?

This means we're checking if it's practical and well-designed to run a bigger, full-scale study later on, comparing IPS to usual care. It's a 'practice run'.

Will my child receive treatment in this study?

This study is mostly about designing the service and checking if a bigger study is possible, rather than providing direct treatment to children right now.

Where is this study taking place?

The study is currently running in two areas: Glasgow and Bromley.

How to find out more

Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.