We are excited to share this new report from one of the TRIUMPH Network’s plus-funded projects. The study led by Dr Rhiannon Evans in collaboration with partners from Cardiff University, The Fostering Network, and Voices from Care Cymru, examined the strengths and challenges of online services and interventions to support the mental health and wellbeing of care-experienced children and young people.
The report presents the views and experiences of online mental health and wellbeing provision among young people, carers, and health and social care professionals in Wales during the Coronavirus pandemic.
The study found that online mental health and wellbeing services and interventions provided some benefits for care-experienced children and young people, including accessibility, privacy and being able to engage or disengage remotely without the pressures of face-to-face interactions. However, for some young people there were challenges to engaging with services and interventions online, including issues with accessibility, a lack of privacy and the format of online interactions.
The report concludes by highlighting recommendations for future practice and interventions focussing on six key areas:
- Research
- Training
- Awareness and access
- Resources
- Choice and flexibility
- Safety, protection and risk
