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Contact Information:

Prof Rachel Hiller
r.hiller@ucl.ac.uk


Ms Ciara O'Donnell
ciara.o'donnell.16@ucl.ac.uk


Dr Rasanat Nawaz
r.f.nawaz@ucl.ac.uk


Dr Eva Sprecher
eva.sprecher@ucl.ac.uk


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Be Part of Research - Trial Details - MyVoice: Mental health assessments for children in care
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MyVoice: Mental health assessments for children in care

Recruiting

Open to: All Genders

Age: Child

Bristol Carlisle

Medical Conditions

Mental health of children and young people in care

This information is provided directly by researchers, and we recognise that it isn't always easy to understand. We are working with researchers to improve the accessibility of this information. In some summaries, you may come across links to external websites. These websites will have more information to help you better understand the study.


Research spanning decades has shown high rates of mental health needs amongst young people in care. There is a growing body of evidence that young people in care face significant challenges in access to mental health services in general and to evidence-based mental health care. These challenges start at the basic identification of mental health needs, where there can be bias and misconceptions in the understanding of the mental health needs of this group. There is also evidence that young people in care are often not involved in assessments of their own mental health needs, are more likely to have their referral rejected from CAMHS than other young people, and that their mental health need is less likely to be accurately identified by professionals.
One way to overcome potential professional biases around the mental health needs of children in care and support the development of shared language between professionals, is the use of standardised mental health symptom tools. Yet across the UK there is currently no agreed way to assess mental health needs in young people in care.
The MyVoice Project seeks to understand whether comprehensive mental health assessments in children’s social care could improve the emotional wellbeing of young people in care, by promoting shared understanding of need, increasing referrals and access to mental health services, and access to higher quality support. To test this, we are using a two-arm parallel individually randomised controlled superiority trial (RCT) design comparing usual care to usual care plus, which is a comprehensive online mental health assessment package. The package includes an online standardised assessment of mental health symptoms, derived from existing standardised symptom screening tools and completed by the young person and caregiver. From this, a 2-page report is generated highlighting areas of need, which is given to the child’s social worker, GP, and caregiver. The young person can also opt-in to receive a child-friendly version, which was co-designed with input from young people in care.
Alongside the evaluation of the effectiveness of the assessment package, there is an embedded process evaluation and health economic evaluation – designed to consider designed to consider implementation and scalability from the outset.

Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.  

The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:

29 Apr 2026 15 Sep 2027

Participants will complete a baseline assessment and then be randomised to either usual care or usual care plus (the new assessment package). Those randomised to the intervention arm will receive a link to complete the online mental health assessment pack. Follow-up assessments of participants will be conducted 6 and 12 months post-baseline, with an additional service-facing assessment 2 months after baseline to explore any initial referral decisions.


10–17-year-olds under the care of participating local authorities, whose social worker has indicated some concern about their mental health. ‘Some concern’ is broadly defined and based on professional judgment. It may include concern due to high scores on the SDQ but could also be the social worker holding any level of concern, or the young person or caregiver expressing concern.

You can take part if:



You may not be able to take part if:


1. Young person is currently receiving direct treatment in CAMHS2. Young person has intellectual disability at a level that would prevent completion of questionnaires or of mental health assessment3. Young person has insufficient English language to complete questionnaires and assessment with researcher support (due to assessment format)4. Young person is held in custodial settings or living at home with birth parents at point of recruitment


Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.

  • Bristol City Council
    City Hall College Green
    Bristol
    BS1 5TR
  • Cumbria County Council
    107–117 Botchergate
    Carlisle
    CA1 1RD

Discussing mental health and related experiences may be upsetting for some participants. It is highly unlikely that answering questions about mental health will substantially worsen mental health. All research team members are trained in a wellbeing and risk escalation policy should a young person become very distressed during their participation.
Given the nature of the research, there is a possibility that participants may disclose safeguarding concerns. All safeguarding concerns will be handled following clear procedures, with escalation to social workers, out-of-hours duty teams, or emergency services where required.
Finding ways to better address the mental health needs of this population is a long-standing priority for many local authorities, and something that young people themselves have long advocated for. Young people in care have been systematically excluded from much previous research about mental health – particularly when considering the well-documented level of need. Many of the young people in care who have participated in our previous research projects on mental health have commented upon the value of having an opportunity to have their voice heard in research concerning them.
Those who are randomly allocated to the assessment arm have the potential to benefit from this intervention’s opportunity for improved knowledge sharing, better mental health support and ultimately an impact on wellbeing if the intervention is found to be effective. Caregivers and social care staff often feel that the mental health needs of the young people in care under their care are not being met. Participation in this study will give an opportunity to be involved in shaping improved provision in this area.
All young people in care who participate will receive a thank you voucher for their time.

Dr Rasanat Nawaz
r.f.nawaz@ucl.ac.uk


Dr Eva Sprecher
eva.sprecher@ucl.ac.uk


Prof Rachel Hiller
r.hiller@ucl.ac.uk


Ms Ciara O'Donnell
ciara.o'donnell.16@ucl.ac.uk



The study is sponsored by University College London and funded by National Institute for Health and Care Research.



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Read full details for Trial ID: ISRCTN18231994

Or CPMS 62445

Last updated 13 July 2026

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