Co-designing a Whole-school Solution Focused Programme With Students, Staff, and Parents and Carers to Improve Communication and Wellbeing

Abstract

Schools are witnessing rapid increases in child mental wellbeing problems and demand cannot be met by specialist mental health services. School staff are not currently trained in approaches to support wellbeing, however upskilling staff in solution focused approaches offers a promising approach to improve communication and wellbeing. Whole-school approaches are recommended and programmes developed through co-design can promote greater acceptance and buy-in from staff and students. Aim: To co-design a whole-school solution focused programme with students, staff, parents and carers at a large, all-through school in England. Methods: the programme was developed using primarily qualitative methods informed by the human-centred design approach. Staff interviews (n=10), student focus groups (n=3), and extensive engagement work over a two-year period explored stakeholder needs. Subsequently, student and staff co-design workshops (n=4) aimed to develop the programme structure, content, and implementation strategy. Results: 101 participants contributed to the co-design process (65 staff; 21 students; 15 parents). Priorities included supporting staff to effectively manage behaviour and improving student-staff communication and overall school climate. A multi-component programme based on solution focused principles was developed, including whole-school activities, plus individual student work. A study testing the prototype is warranted.