Mr Nic Telford, Evaluation Manager, headspace will provide an overview of the research, outline the best practice framework and demonstrate how these principles are being practically implemented across headspace centres to improve practice and increase the accessibility, acceptability, appropriateness and sustainability of services provided to young people and its implications for the wider service system at the upcoming 15th International Mental Health Conference.

headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation is the Australian Government’s major investment in the area of youth mental health. headspace commenced in 2006 as a response to the mismatch between the level of need and mental health service use among young people and has since provided services to more than 100,000 young people at its 60+ centres across Australia.

The headspace initiative comprises a major reorientation in service mix and funding arrangements for the mental health sector and significant local differences have inevitably led to differences in the focus and priorities across the centres. Recognising this diversity, headspace has recently investigated how the model is being implemented across locations to identify and document the best practice headspace model.

The study involved the development of detailed case studies on ten representative headspace centres through in-depth interviews with centre staff, services users and other stakeholders.

These case studies were analysed alongside available research to inform the development of a framework of elements considered to be best practice for headspace centres. This framework identifies four key outcome areas, along with a set of objectives and implementation indicators which enable the provision of consistent, effective and appropriate service responses for engaging with and meeting the needs of young people across all headspace centres.

The outcomes of this research are now being used to inform development of self-assessment tools, performance indicators and standards for headspace centres and can provide valuable insight into best practice service provision and its practical application across youth focussed services.

For more information on the 15th International Mental Health Conference to be held at the QT Hotel, Surfers Paradise from Monday 25th to Tuesday 26th August 2014 click here.  Optional workshops will held on Wednesday the 27th of August.