The cross-sector implementation of NICE-recommended CBT-based interventions for young people in care: Framework development and pilot of trauma-focused CBT

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a trauma-specific mental health condition with rates 12 times higher in young people in care. The best-evidenced treatment for PTSD is trauma-focused cognitive behaviour therapy (tf-CBT), but young people in care are rarely assessed for PTSD, or provided with this treatment, leading to an accumulation of inequity.

We worked with 250+ mental health professionals to understand what helps and hinders delivery of PTSD screening for young people in care, and use of cognitive therapy for PTSD (a type of tf-CBT).

We identified barriers at the commissioning level and between-sector pathways, and found services with leadership, supervision structures and a team culture of ‘buy-in’ to evidence-based practice were better able to implement treatment.

We have presented findings at international conferences and developed a series of free animations on PTSD and tf-CBTs, viewed over 80,000 times, and training videos for professionals. We have provided specific recommendations at the commissioning and service leadership level.

NIHR ARC West (ARC-W)

NIHR ARC North Thames (ARC-NT)

NIHR ARC East of England (ARC EoE)

NIHR ARC North East and North Cumbria (ARC NENC)

NIHR ARC South West Peninsula (PenARC)

NIHR ARC Wessex (ARC-WX)

NIHR ARC Yorkshire and Humber (YHARC)

Norfolk & Waveney Children & Young People Care Group

University of Bath

University of Bristol

Bradford Teaching Hospital NHS Trust

Newcastle University (NCL)

University of East Anglia (UEA)

University of Southampton

Bradford Institute of Health Research

Oxford Health NHS Trust

Kings College London (KCL)