Supporting Workforce Development in the Mental Health Sector

Building a stronger mental health workforce pipeline

Grosvenor was engaged to evaluate a new workforce initiative aimed at increasing university student placements within the mental health sector. This initiative focused on addressing stigma associated with working in the sector, while promoting mental health careers as attractive pathways. By doing so, the program aimed to ensure a sustainable pipeline of skilled workers in these vital but often underserved areas.

Implementing a tailored evaluation approach to support mental health workforce initiatives
For this project, we deployed a highly customised approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate the program’s implementation and effectiveness. Our methodology included:

• Developing a monitoring and evaluation framework specifically designed to align with the mental health sector’s requirements and challenges
• Conducting thorough reviews of program documentation, including baseline data, funding records, and progress reports
• Engaging directly with university students undertaking mental health placements, including those with lived experience of mental health challenges, through surveys and consultations to capture their insights and perspectives
• Facilitating in-depth discussions with universities, service providers, and other stakeholders involved in the initiative to provide a well-rounded evaluation
• Navigating approvals across multiple institutions to meet ethical requirements
• Analysing cost data to explore financial impacts and future considerations for program sustainability

We delivered:

• Two summary reports and an interim report offering timely insights into program operations, challenges, and progress specific to the mental health sector.
• A final report that synthesised findings, amplified the voices of students, universities and service providers, and provided actionable recommendations to enhance the program’s effectiveness and reach.

Grosvenor’s evaluation contributed to shaping workforce strategies within the mental health sector. By delivering recommendations grounded in robust evidence, we supported the client in making informed decisions about the workforce support initiative and future programs targeted at enhancing the mental health workforce pipeline.

Grosvenor as a trusted evaluation partner
Feedback from the client emphasised their appreciation for our thorough analysis, practical recommendations, and the depth of understanding we brought to the challenges faced by the mental health sector.

Our Grosvenor project team, led by Dr Su-Ann Drew and Kristy Hornby, were also commended for their clear and consistent communication with the client, their responsiveness, and their ability to adapt flexibly to emerging requirements and challenges throughout the project. The team’s transparent communication and collaborative approach reinforced Grosvenor’s role as a trusted partner in evaluating workforce initiatives, particularly within the health and mental health sector