Shepherd, Gary ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8178-1141, Baxter, Vanessa ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8130-5487 and Perry, Matt (2026) Exploring whole-system perspectives on the impact of Right Care, Right Person:findings from a small-scale qualitative evaluation. Advances in Mental Health. (In Press)

Text aHBMvIXQ.pdf - Accepted Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (542kB)

Abstract

Objective: Right Care, Right Person (RCRP) aims to reduce police involvement in mental health crises in favour of clinical leadership, theoretically facilitating more appropriate early intervention. Pioneered in Humber in 2020, this study explores the "steady-state" impacts of this model on frontline practice and inter-agency prevention efforts within the region.
Method: Guided by an interpretivist phenomenological ontology, this inductive qualitativestudy captured the lived experiences of frontline professionals. Through a reflexive process, 16 semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive maximum variation sample across eight sectors, including policing, ambulance, social care, and acute mental health and analysed using iterative thematic analysis.
Results: Despite universal support for decriminalizing mental distress, a significant "implementation gap" exists between policy intent and operational reality. Participants
identified a "displacement of risk" and increased burden on health services, which may paradoxically hinder early intervention. Key themes included fractured partnerships,
inconsistent interpretations of legal thresholds (such as Section 136), and a "safety gap" created when police withdrawal is not met with commensurate increases in community clinical resources. Success was found to be contingent on localized "boundary spanning" and pre-existing trust rather than the formalized policy framework.

Item Type:	Article
Status:	In Press
DOI:	10.1080/18387357.2026.2703225
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology > BF637 Counselling K Law > KD England and Wales
School/Department:	School of Science, Technology and Health
Institutes:	Institute for Health and Care Improvement
URI:	https://ray.yorksj.ac.uk/id/eprint/15375

University Staff: Request a correction | RaY Editors: Update this record