LYNC(Looking after Young people iN Care)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
How can health services effectively improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people leaving public care? The LYNC (Looking after Young people iN Care)Study.
IRAS ID
150796
Contact name
Douglas Simkiss
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust
Research summary
This study is a 12 month programme development grant (PDG) which may later lead to a fiveyear
programme grant.
In this PDG we will investigate how health services can improve the mental health and wellbeing of looked after young
people (LAYP) leaving care. LAYP are a wellrecognised
vulnerable group and poor mental health can prevent them
from achieving meaningful adult roles and personal wellbeing. We want to create a better understanding of the mental
health needs of LAYP leaving care and identify how we can improve transition from care.
The PDG research will investigate: (1) What constitutes an optimal transition support service that promotes the mental
health and wellbeing of LAYP leaving care? (2) What transition support services are provided in Birmingham? (3) How
can Transition support services be improved: from the young person’s perspective and the context of mental healthcare
service provision?
We will follow LAYP with mental health need through a transition process by conducting a case note analysis of their
involvement with both local authority care services and mental health services and qualitative interviews with a subset
of participants. This will allow us to identify optimal transition processes in their care and allow exploration of young
people’s experience of transition. We will also conduct qualitative interviews with both local authority and NHS staff who
Social Care REC Form Reference:
14/IEC08/0013
IRAS Version 3.5
Date: 13/03/2014 5 150796/578943/27/696
from achieving meaningful adult roles and personal wellbeing. We want to create a better understanding of the mental
health needs of LAYP leaving care and identify how we can improve transition from care.
The PDG research will investigate: (1) What constitutes an optimal transition support service that promotes the mental
health and wellbeing of LAYP leaving care? (2) What transition support services are provided in Birmingham? (3) How
can Transition support services be improved: from the young person’s perspective and the context of mental healthcare
service provision?
We will follow LAYP with mental health need through a transition process by conducting a case note analysis of their
involvement with both local authority care services and mental health services and qualitative interviews with a subset
of participants. This will allow us to identify optimal transition processes in their care and allow exploration of young
people’s experience of transition. We will also conduct qualitative interviews with both local authority and NHS staff who
work with LAYP to gain insight into what makes an excellent transition service.
If awarded the full programme grant, this would further explore these issues with a research programme of four linked
studies: (1) an examination of the literature and discussion with experts, (2) a national census of transition across
England to identify distinct models of care, (3) development of a transition package which promotes mental health and
wellbeing, and (4) testing the feasibility of the transition package as an intervention.REC name
Social Care REC
REC reference
14/IEC08/0013
Date of REC Opinion
17 Apr 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion