Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
This study aims to find out about the effectiveness of an intervention run by Catch 22. The intervention targets young people who are deemed to be most at risk of exclusion from school by their teachers. Previous research shows that being excluded from school is associated with unemployment, criminal behaviour and self-harm. The intervention aims to target these at risk young people and improve their communication skills and lessen behaviours which may lead to school exclusions.
Who can participate?
Children had to be entering year 9 or 10 in September 2013 to be eligible and be in the top 3-5% of problematic behaviour in their year group.
What does the study involve?
Participating schools are randomly allocated to one of two groups: the intervention or the control group. The intervention is run from the participants schools over 12 weeks. It consists of group work sessions run by trained keyworkers and one-to-one sessions. On occasion there may be family support work run from the participants home if deemed beneficial and necessary. Participants in the control group will benefit from a one-day employability workshop run by corporate volunteers giving an insight into the world of work.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
It is hoped that participants will benefit from the intervention by developing better skills, engaging in fewer antisocial behaviours, being more engaged in school and lessening their chances of becoming NEET (Not in Education Employment or Training).
Where is the study run from?
The study is run from 17 schools across Greater London, UK
When is study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
The study started in May 2013 and is expected to run for two years
Who is funding the study?
The study is funded by the European Commission/Greater London Authority (UK) and the Education Endowment Foundation (UK)
Who is the main contact?
1. Prof. Manuel Eisner (mpe23@cam.ac.uk)
2. Dr Ingrid Obsuth (io229@cam.ac.uk)
Study website
Additional identifiers
EudraCT/CTIS number
IRAS number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
LEIP2013
Study information
Scientific title
London Education and Inclusion Project (LEIP): a cluster-randomised controlled trial of an intervention to reduce antisocial behaviour and improve educational/occupational attainment for pupils at risk of school exclusion
Acronym
LEIP
Study hypothesis
Research Questions
Does this intervention affect the:
1. Behaviour of participants in terms of officially recorded truancy, temporary and/or permanent exclusions?
2. Self-, teacher-reported or officially recorded disruptive and antisocial behaviour of participants?
3. Educational attainment of participants in terms of GCSE or other formal tests (e.g. SATs)?
4. Language skills of participants in terms of their expressive and/or receptive communication skills?
5. Likelihood of being Not in Education Employment or Training (NEET) once the children complete compulsory schooling?
Ethics approval(s)
Ethics Committee of the Institute of Criminology at the University of Cambridge
Study design
Cluster randomised controlled trial
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Cluster randomised trial
Study setting(s)
School
Study type
Treatment
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Condition
Behaviour problems which place them at the highest-risk for school exclusion and decreased educational attainment
Intervention
The participating schools are randomised to two groups:
1. Intervention
The intervention provided by Catch 22 is delivered in three main components: group work sessions, one-to-one meetings and family support. It targets a number of individual risk factors including students poor communication skills (e.g. ineffective strategies to request attention, difficulties sharing emotions, avoidance of eye contact for social interactions), hidden communication needs (e.g. receptive-expressive language difficulties), behavioural problems in school (e.g. disruptive behaviour in the classrooms, violence), academic problems, poor attainment and attendance below the expected level. At the family level, the intervention targets risk factors such as poor family support for academic activities whereas at the school level, the intervention is focused on risk factors such as poor classroom management.
2. Control
Schools in the control group are offered a one-off workshop delivered by trained corporate volunteers. These workshop sessions address employability skills of young people, provide insight into the world of work and facilitate discussions concerning employment.
Intervention type
Behavioural
Primary outcome measure
Behaviour problems - antisocial behaviour. This will be measured via self-reported questionnaires, teacher-reported questionnaires as well as official data with respect to educational outcomes. They are collected at baseline and 1-3 months following the intervention.
Secondary outcome measures
Educational and occupational attainment. This will be measured via self-reported questionnaires, teacher-reported questionnaires as well as official data with respect to educational outcomes. They are collected at baseline and 1-3 months following the intervention.
Overall study start date
01/05/2013
Overall study end date
01/05/2015
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
School level:
More than or equal to 28% of children eligible for free school meals
Young people:
1. Entering Year 9 or 10 in September 2013
2. Identified by the school as at high risk for school exclusion and/or becoming NEET based on:
2.1. having had previous school exclusions,
2.2. unauthorised absences, and
2.3. having engaged in behaviours that lead to other disciplinary measures
Participant type(s)
Other
Age group
Child
Sex
Both
Target number of participants
800
Participant exclusion criteria
School level:
1. Pupil Referral Units and 'special' schools
2. Schools already participating in initiatives funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Greater London Authority (GLA)
Recruitment start date
01/05/2013
Recruitment end date
01/05/2015
Locations
Countries of recruitment
England, United Kingdom
Study participating centre
University of Cambridge
Cambridge
CB3 9DA
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
Organisation
University of Cambridge (UK)
Sponsor details
Institute of Criminology
Sidgwick Site
Cambridge
CB3 9DA
England
United Kingdom
Sponsor type
University/education
Website
ROR
Funders
Funder type
Government
Funder name
The evaluation is funded by the European Commission, Social Experimentation Grant (EC reference VS/2012/0345) awarded to the Greater London Authority/University of Cambridge (UK)
Alternative name(s)
Funding Body Type
Funding Body Subtype
Location
Funder name
The intervention is funded by the Education Endowment Foundation (UK)
Alternative name(s)
Funding Body Type
Funding Body Subtype
Location
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
Not provided at time of registration
Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) sharing plan
IPD sharing plan summary
Not provided at time of registration
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | results | 05/04/2016 | Yes | No |