Research reports and publications
Here we present key findings and reports from our research projects, including our peer-reviewed journal publications.
Our research projects
Our research projects
Our research projects help us advance our understanding of children and young people's mental health.
At Place2Be, we have a dedicated Research and Evaluation team who routinely monitor and evaluate our support services. The team also collaborates with many like-minded organisations and research institutions across the world. Our research aims to advance our understanding of children’s and young people’s mental health and the ways in which they can be best supported.
We use our research findings to:
- shape our therapeutic approach
- help improve the support we provide to children and young people in schools
- engage politicians with our work and help inform public policy in the UK.
If you would like more information about our research projects, please get in touch with our Research and Evaluation team by emailing researchteam@place2be.org.uk.
From a child who IS a problem to a child who HAS a problem
In this research, we explored the relationship between mental health and school exclusion for children and young people receiving one-to-one counselling with Place2Be. We found that children and young people who had experienced fixed-term exclusions had significantly less exclusions in the academic year counselling occurred.
Economic evaluation of Place2Be’s counselling service in Primary Schools
This research by Pro Bono Economics assessed the individual and societal benefits of Place2Be’s one-to-one counselling service. Their analysis showed the service generates around £8 in benefits for every £1 spent on the service.
Impact of counselling provision in primary schools on child and adolescent mental health service referral rates
This project looked at the rate of specialist mental health referrals in relation to the provision of Place2Be services in South London schools. We found that having Place2Be in schools did not lead to an influx of specialist mental health referrals.
A UK School-based mental health service response to the COVID-19 pandemic
This work looked at how we changed how we work in schools in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The report demonstrates how Place2Be successfully maintained beneficial support for children and young people during the pandemic using creative and modified means.
Longer-term effects of school-based counselling in UK primary schools
This research examined the longer-term effectiveness of one-to-one counselling in our UK primary schools. Improvements in mental health were found following one-to-one counselling, and, importantly, improvements continued over the two-year follow-up period.
What issues bring primary school children to counselling?
This research measured the number, severity and types of issues recorded by counsellors in primary school children referred to Place2Be. We found that these children experienced various difficulties, including anxiety, low self-esteem and family tensions.
The Place2Be: Measuring the effectiveness of a primary school-based therapeutic intervention in England and Scotland
This research assessed whether Place2Be's individual and group intervention model positively influences children's social and emotional wellbeing. Teachers and parents reported that children had fewer difficulties post-intervention compared to pre-intervention.
Systematic client feedback in therapy for children with psychological difficulties
This research investigated whether using Partners for Change Outcome Management Systems (PCOMS), a system that uses behavioural health to inform treatment, changed play-based counselling outcomes for children. We found that PCOMS can improve clinical outcomes.
The validation of the self-report strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) for use by children in the UK
This report summarises research on the effectiveness of children aged 6-10 years completing the SDQ with a trained counsellor. The findings suggest that children could complete the SDQ effectively, giving practitioners insight into children's understanding of their problems.
In the eye of a 'perfect storm'
This article explores what support and training schools need to address pupils' and school staff's mental health needs. Highlighted is how Place2Be's support service can help fulfil that need and the importance of including mental health training in initial teacher training.
Mental Health Service Models for Young People
This POSTnote, informed by Place2Be, examines how areas in England planned to improve their Children and Young People's Mental Health Services (CYPMHS) by 2020. Plans followed the UK government's announcement of five years of extra funding in 2015.
The Effects of School Exclusion and Effective Interventions
This briefing with Forward Trust (previously RAPt) examines factors associated with school exclusions and criminal behaviour, including emotional and behavioural difficulties for some children and young people. Together, we highlight early intervention's importance in diverting young people from offending.
Ongoing research projects
We are currently working on some larger-scale projects running over several years. This includes an evaluation of our whole-school approach and an examination of the longer-term effects of Place2Be.
City Bridge longitudinal study
We are working on a longitudinal study which examines the longer-term effects and cost-benefits of individual counselling with Place2Ben. This four-year study, funded by City Bridge Foundation, is currently taking place in our partner schools across London.
Law Family Salford research programme
We are proud to be working on a three-year study to assess the impact of Place2Be’s services on the whole school. Sponsored by the Law Family Charitable Foundation, the programme is developing a "proof of concept" in 20 Salford primary schools.
Advisory Research Projects
We act in an advisory role on several external research projects, supporting the wider research community by drawing on the expertise of our Research and Evaluation team, Clinical team and school-based practitioners.
Regulating Emotions – Strengthening Adolescent Resilience (RE-STAR)
We are working on the four-year RE-STAR programme with Professor Edmund Sonuga-Barke from Kings College London. The programme explores how young people manage and respond to emotional experiences and develops new ways to measure these responses.
Learning Together for Mental Health
We are working with Professor Chris Bonnell (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine) and Professor Russell Viner (University College London) to develop and evaluate their Learning Together for Mental Health programme in secondary schools.
