Evaluation

Evaluation

School-Link Training Phases 1, 2 & 3 have been highly evaluated by the 2,000 plus clinicians who attended. Post-course evaluations indicate that over 96% of participants have found School-Link Training has relevance and usefulness for their work with adolescent clients. This was supported in a review of School-Link conducted during 2004. Improved clinical practice and enhanced interagency collaboration, resulting in more appropriate referrals were identified in participant evaluations and in the review.

Overall,

• 85% of participants have seen an improvement in their local interagency collaboration as a result of attending School-Link Training;
• over 65% of school counsellors are retaining more clients whom they would have previously referred on to other agencies;
• over 90% of participants reported their clinical practice has improved as a result of School-Link training;
• there is a significant positive correlation between attendance at School-Link Training courses and self-reported improved clinical practice and retention of clients previously referred on.

These findings support those reported in a before-after evaluation of School-Link in a metropolitan Area Health Service .

School-Link Training Phase 1: Depression and related disorders in adolescents, (add summary of evaluation)

School-Link Training Phase 2: Self-harm in adolescents. (add summary of evaluation)

School-Link Training Phase 3: Mental distress and wellbeing in Aboriginal, same sex attracted and culturally and linguistically diverse young people (add summary of evaluation)

School-Link Training Phase 4: Coexisting mental disorder and problematic substance use in adolescents

Among the first 400 participants attending School-Link Training Phase 4 (currently being delivered), 96% stated that the training would help them to provide a better service for their clients; 98% stated that the course met their needs; and 97% said that they would recommend a colleague attend the training.