Connecting People Implementation Study
Condition: Social Isolation; Mental Health Wellness 1; Social Interaction
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      This study aims to investigate if the Connecting People (CP) Programme can be implemented by
      social care practitioners with high fidelity in community mental health teams (CMHTs) and
      improve the resourcefulness of social networks of people with mental health problems.
    

Detailed description: 
      People with mental health problems require a range of support to help them in their recovery.
      Alongside medical and psychological support, people may need support with engaging in
      meaningful activities and developing relationships. The focus of this study is on advancing
      understanding of how services can improve the support they offer to people around social
      relationships.

      In a previous study, a Connecting People programme was developed which supported people to
      make plans for developing their network of contacts in the community. When delivered fully,
      it helped people feel more included in society and better able to access advice, information
      and practical support from people they know.

      This research project aims to look at how Connecting People can be effectively established
      within community mental health teams by social workers trained as part of the 'Think Ahead'
      initiative. The investigators want to know how to implement the Connecting People programme
      well, assessing whether tools such as manuals, guidance and specific training help or hinder
      this process. The investigators want to know when implemented, compared to standard care,
      whether the programme benefits mental health service users and is cost-effective.

      The study will last 15 months and is organised into two phrases:

        1. Implementation of the programme in community mental health teams in five areas in
           England. Outcome data will be collected from each participating team and results will be
           compared between teams who implemented the programme and those that only offered
           standard care.

        2. Exploration of how successful implementation was across the five areas, using a
           check-list and in-depth individual and group interviews to understand the features that
           supported or hindered the process.
    

Intervention name(s): Connecting People Intervention
Intervention type(s): Other
Intervention description(s): Improve the resourcefulness of social networks of people with mental health problems
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: This study will use multiple methods to answer our research questions. It will consist of:
a natural experiment in the form of a non-randomised wait-list controlled pre-post study to evaluate the outcomes of the CP programme, when implemented in CMHTs, in contrast to standard care; and
an evaluation of the implementation tools using a standardised tool and qualitative approaches to understand the barriers and facilitators of implementation in the different sites.
Masking: Double (Participant, Care Provider)
Primary purpose: Prevention
Keywords: Improve Social Capital; Improve mental health