Independent evaluation of the under 18s elements of the Distress Brief Intervention programme

About the study

The Distress Brief Intervention (DBI) programme provides a fast and compassionate response to adults in emotional distress across Scotland. The DBI programme was extended to include young people aged 16-17 and DBI for 14–15-year-olds has also been introduced into some of Scotland’s schools as part of an education pilot. 
This evaluation is intended to produce evidence-based recommendations for the continued development of the DBI Under 18s programme and inform associated policy and practice decision making through providing a clear and robust account of:

• whether DBI can be an effective intervention for use with young adults aged under 18
• what changes in the design and implementation of the DBI intervention are needed compared with its use in adults
• what mechanisms of delivery and contextual factors contribute to its successful implementation

The evaluation will last for 18 months and has three phases:

Phase 1: 

• scoping workshops with key stakeholders exploring the design, delivery and potential outcomes of DBI Under 18s
• a theory of change workshop to map the aims, processes and outcomes of DBI Under 18s

Phase 2:  

• analysis of the DBI Under 18s data to explore who is using the programme and outcomes of referrals
• in-depth interviews with children and young people who have used the DBI Under 18s programme and staff and stakeholders involved in developing and delivering the DBI Under 18s programme

Phase 3: 

• a final reflections workshop with stakeholders to discuss future considerations and recommendations for the programme and agree a final theory of change

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