INcreasing Adolescent Social and Community SupporT - Full Trial

INcreasing Adolescent Social and Community SupporT - Full Trial

Background: Social Prescribing is a mechanism of connecting patients with non-medical forms of support within the community and has been shown to improve loneliness. Yet update from young people has been lower than for adults. This is thought to be due to accessibility issues as young people are less likely to draw on primary care, where social prescribing is based, for wellbeing support. The INACT pilot sought to test the feasibility and acceptability of a Social Prescribing pathway via schools to support young people who are lonely through a randomised controlled trial. Findings suggested that study procedures, including the measures were appropriate and that Social Prescribing was deemed by young people, social prescribers and school staff as feasible, acceptable and suitable and there was evidence of impact in the social prescribing arm when compared to signposting. Given the positive pilot findings, the aim of the INACT full trial is to build upon the pilot work and conduct a clinical and cost effectiveness trial into the impact of Social Prescribing in schools for loneliness and low community connection, compared to signposting.

Methods: A minimum of 215 pupils reporting loneliness will be recruited across 30 mainstream schools in England and be randomly allocated to signposting or Social Prescribing. Pupils in the control group will receive signposting to sources of support from school staff. The co-produced social prescribing intervention includes up to 6 sessions with a Link Worker who will work with individuals to understand 'what matters to them' and connect them with local sources of support. The clinical and cost effectiveness of Social Prescribing for young people with loneliness will be assessed using measures of loneliness, mental health, wellbeing, quality of life, and service use. Data will be collected at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months later. Qualitative interviews will also be conducted to explore barriers, facilitators, mechanisms of change and impact.

Discussion: INACT will provide evidence of the clinical and cost effectiveness of Social Prescribing in schools for supporting young people experiencing loneliness. It will also establish what types of community and social activities young people engage in and what factors affect participation.

Inclusion Criteria

1. Schools:

   • A primary or secondary school willing to participate in INACT
   • In England
   • Have classes of pupils in eligible year groups to participate (Years 5, 7, 8)

2. Pupils and their parents/guardians:

   • Score 7 or above on the Good Childhood Index (indicating high loneliness)
   • Parents/guardians consent, and pupils assent, to get support

Exclusion Criteria

1. Schools:

   • Private schools or sixth form/colleges
   • Specialist schools
   • Schools only offering alterative provision
   • Outside of England
   • Does not have classes of pupils in eligible year groups to participate (Years 4, 5, 7, 8)

2. Pupils and their parents/guardians:

   • Score below 7 on the Good Childhood Index (indicating low loneliness)
   • Parents/guardians do not consent, or pupils do not assent, to get support
   • Children and young people with severe learning disabilities who are unable to complete questionnaires