Pilot Implementation of Child Psychosocial Framework in Kenya, Turkey and Brazil

To develop a child psychosocial framework among stakeholders in areas of disadvantage in three low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) Kenya, Turkey and Brazil, and to capture their proposed recommendations through action plans according to this framework. Design/methodology/approach

Workshops were facilitated with a total 54 participants from different disciplines. The framework addressed safety and child-centredness, quality of care, resilience-building in schools and communities, enhancing competencies within existing roles, counselling and psychological interventions, and access to mental health services. Stakeholders’ perspectives were captured through a participatory action procedure.

Findings

The emerging 33 categories across the framework dimensions and the three sites led to four overarching and inter-linked themes. These related to: community awareness; empowerment and ‘mobilization’ of children, young people and families; inter-agency policy and practice; and capacity-building on skills acquisition at different levels. Research limitations / implications

The next stage in this service research should be full implementation and evaluation in different LMIC contexts. Practical implications It is feasible to implement such a child psychosocial framework in contexts of conflict and disadvantage, and in the absence of specialist mental health services. Active stakeholder engagement and co-production should be central to the next phase of service transformation in LMIC.

Originality / value

This study captured the views and experiences of stakeholders in LMIC areas of disadvantage, and demonstrated their readiness to establish interdisciplinary networks and to re-focus existing services.