Case Study: i-THRIVE Champions
Overview
Kent and Medway i-THRIVE Champions established in 2022 and have driven the implementation of the i-THRIVE Framework. They developed the Theory of Change that underpins the envisioned system transformation in Kent, identifying challenges and opportunities for improvement. By empowering services, teams, and communities, these champions facilitate the adoption of the THRIVE Framework, aiming to deliver integrated, person-centred mental health care to children, young people, and their families. The champions represent a diverse range of backgrounds—including clinicians, managers, educators, youth practitioners, those with lived experience, and professionals from health, local authority, and the VCSE sector.
The THRIVE Framework focuses on delivering the right support, at the right time and place, based on individual needs and what matters to each young person—rather than fitting people into predefined services.
i-THRIVE in Action
Shared Decision making and Children and Young People’s Voice: iTHRIVE Champions work directly with young people to build shared language and understanding of THRIVE and help embed a coherent, needs-based approach. This has meant adapting the national language to fit the Kent and Medway landscape.
THRIVE and Whole System Service Design: Advocating for system-wide change, promoting THRIVE principles with colleagues, leaders, and local partners, ensuring the vision informs service design and delivery. This has meant that the framework has been included in strategies across local authorities and health system.
Lead and contribute to improvement projects, such as the Kent & Medway VCSE competency framework, Kent and Medway Self-Harm Guidance, and the Triple D+Safety Risk Forum.
Support continuous improvement, using data, feedback, and reflective practice to assess and strengthen the impact of changes.
Model and mentor THRIVE-aligned practice, inspiring others to adopt person-centred, compassionate approaches in everyday work.
Promoting Needs-Based Practice: Champions have helped shift services toward flexible, needs-led decision making rather than service-based criteria.
Strengthening Partnerships and Collaboration: Champions have improved multi-agency working through stronger relationships, clearer consultation pathways, and joint initiatives. Organisations with Champions report:
- Better connection to the wider system
- Feeling more heard and valued
- Greater confidence in meeting children’s needs
Supporting Workforce Development: Champion organisations have played a key role in delivering local and countywide emotional wellbeing workshops, helping staff build the competence and confidence needed to identify and respond to need early. This has supported more coordinated and preventative approaches across the workforce.
Conclusion
i-THRIVE Champions in Kent and Medway drive transformation across system, service, and individual levels. Their cross-sector involvement ensures diverse voices—children and young people, practitioners, and leaders—shape meaningful cultural change and improvement.
Champions model how i-THRIVE enables system change, using evidence and authentic practice to influence others.
Through collaborative working, they help address shared issues, close gaps, and shape local improvements. They also build staff confidence and competency in THRIVE-aligned practice.