spsVicki Coppock, a Professor in Social Sciences: Childhood Studies and Mental Health, has helped to promote mental health awareness and tackle stigma through her research and contribution to an interactive training programme for those working with children.

Vicki’s research explored ways of positively influencing how professionals deal with children and young people experiencing mental distress. This research was then used as the basis for Merseyside Youth Association’s highly successful training programme ‘Mad Bad or Misunderstood?’ The training programme has been delivered to over 4,000 teachers, social workers, police offices, parents, foster carers, health workers and volunteers as an essential tool in improving mental health understanding and challenging negative stereotypes.

‘Mad Bad or Misunderstood?’ was profiled in The Guardian and Young People Now and is recognised by Child and Maternal Health Observatory (ChiMat) due to its importance when working with young people. Vicki’s research is helping to develop children’s mental health services in England to ensure an inclusive, child-centred service is provided.

The training manual is available at: http://www.chimat.org.uk/tacklingstigma/liverpool

Research into Social Work and Social Policy identified as having world leading research in the REF 2014

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Research conducted by Edge Hill University in Social Work and Social Policy was identified as world leading or internationally excellent in the national Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014.

The REF assesses the quality of research at universities across the UK and informs research funding allocations from the Higher Education Funding Council for England, HEFCE. The impact of research being carried out in the department was illustrated by three case studies.  Professor Vicky Coppock’s work on in child mental health services influenced policy and practice, while Professor Mark McGovern’s research into post-conflict transition and human rights helped shape debates on post-conflict justice in Northern Ireland. Finally, research and knowledge exchange carried out by Professor John Diamond into the management of change within not-for-profit organisations and local government helped develop the skills of key actors in these sectors.