Keep Safe: feasibility of CBT groups for young people with ID & HSB
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Keep Safe: a trial of the feasibility of cognitive behaviour therapy groups for young people with intellectual disabilities and harmful sexual behaviour
IRAS ID
146627
Contact name
Glynis Murphy
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Kent
Research summary
There is a very well-established need for practice guidance and research for children and young people with intellectual disabilities (ID) and harmful sexual behaviours (see Youth Justice Board reports 2005, 2007: National Safeguarding report 2008, Joint Inspection report 2013).
This study will address this need in two main ways:
1. We will develop and adapt assessments which will help us determine whether a specific treatment programme (see below) is effective. As part of this work, we will collaborate with clinical practitioners, service users, and carers who will be a part of the 'Keep Safe' Development Group. The study sites include NHS community and residential provision, and independent organisations.
2. We will test out the feasibility of a psychological treatment programme, namely group cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for helping adolescents (aged 12-17 yrs) with intellectual disabilities (ID), who display harmful sexual behaviours. We anticipate the once weekly group sessions will be up to 2 hours long (including breaks) and run for up to a year. Ten sessions for parents/carers will be delivered alongside the young people's group, so parents and carers can support the treatment. A treatment manual is being written and two days training will be provided for the participating clinicians who will run the treatment group. The adolescents who take part will already be known to community and/or residential services.
It is hoped that this research will aid the development of evidence-based services, appropriate, effective assessments, and a grant application for a larger study in due course.
Our overall time frame is two years for this study.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1118
Date of REC Opinion
12 Aug 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion