Establishing Priorities for Improving Data Collection and Measurement of Mental Health and Wellbeing of Adolescents with Special Educational Needs Within Non-mainstream Schools: Protocol for a Delphi Study (Preprint)

Abstract

Background: There are more than 1.5 million children and young people (CYP) in England with special educational needs (SEN), with over 160,000 young people in the UK attending a special school or alternative provision (AP) setting. Young people with SEN have been found to be at risk for poorer mental health and wellbeing than non-SEN peers. However, there are a range of both school-related and research challenges associated with identifying difficulties in a timely manner. Objective:The main objective of this Delphi study is to determine a list of stakeholder priorities for improving school-based measurement of mental health and wellbeing among young people with special educational needs, at an aggregated level, within special school/AP settings. A secondary objective is to inform the future expanded rollout of school-based wellbeing surveys, such as the #BeeWell programme, to improve engagement of special schools/AP settings and survey response rates among CYP with SEN. Methods:A mixed-methods Delphi study will be conducted including a scoping review and preliminary focus groups with school staff and researchers to establish key issues. This will be followed by a 2-round Delphi survey, to determine a list of stakeholder priorities for improving the measurement of mental health and wellbeing at an aggregate level within special schools and AP settings. A final stakeholder workshop will be held to discuss findings. A list of recommendations will be drafted as a report for special schools/AP settings. Results:The study has received ethical approval from UCL REC. The stage 1 scoping review has commenced. Recruitment for focus groups will begin in spring 2024. The first round of the Delphi survey will commence in autumn 2024, and the second round of the Delphi survey in early 2025. The final workshop will commence in spring 2025.Conclusions: There is a need for clear recommendations for special schools/AP settings on priorities for improving the measurement of mental health and wellbeing problems among young people with SEN. There is also a need for recommendations to researchers implementing school-based wellbeing surveys, including the #BeeWell programme, to enable them to improve their engagement of special schools/AP settings and ensure surveys are accessible. Clinical