BackgroundIn 2017, the Children and Young People’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies
(CYP-IAPT) project was extended to deliver low-intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
(CBT), delivered by Children’s Wellbeing Practitioners (CWPs), but to date evaluation is
sparse.AimsTo evaluate low-intensity interventions delivered by trainee CWPs for the treatment of
anxiety and depression in a child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS).MethodThe evaluation adopted a quantitative, within-subjects, cross-sectional design. The
outcome measures of 98 service users aged 8–17 years were included in the evaluation.
Service users were children and young people accessing CAMHS in the North East of
England. Outcome measures included the Revised Children’s Anxiety and Depression Scale
(RCADS-47) and Goal Based Outcomes (GBOs). Descriptive data relating to the types of
interventions used and outcomes following CWP involvement were also explored.ResultsAnalysis of pre and post intervention data highlighted significant reduction in
symptomatology across all RCADS subscales and composite total scales, and significant
goal progress as measures by GBO’s. Effect sizes ranged from moderate to large
(d= 0.75 – 0.90) across all subscales of the RCADS. Large effect
sizes were found for depression, total anxiety and total RCADS scores (d= 0.86,d= 1.12,d= 1.14), and GBOs
(d= −1.33).ConclusionsFindings support the potential value of low intensity CBT interventions delivered by
CWPs in reducing anxiety and depression in this population. Recommendations for the
development of the CWP role and CWP services are discussed.