Case Study: Triple D+S Forum

Overview

Kent piloted the Triple D+S Forum, in one area of Kent. It was a collaborative initiative designed to support children and young people’s emotional wellbeing and mental health by fostering partnership working and needs-led responses based on i THRIVE principles. This forum aimed to provide a space for professionals to discuss and be creative to find additional mechanisms of support, with the child’s and parent’s consent, enhancing system-wide collaboration and support.

i-THRIVE in Action

• THRIVE and Whole System Service Design: The Triple D+S Forum enables organisations concerned about a child or young person to discuss collaboratively, drawing on system-wide expertise while maintaining primary responsibility with the child’s current supporting organisation. The pilot began in July 2025- March 2026 in West Kent.
• Partnership Working: Partners took a year to agree on the forum’s approach, recognising that risk accountability could not be formalised without integration. Schools and voluntary sectors often held children with limited support, prompting specialist providers to develop a consultation line to aid lead professionals in managing risks without escalation.
• Proactive, Prevention & Promotion: The initiative promoted creative, collaborative work around individual young people, improving partnership awareness and communication.
• Shared Decision Making: It has been co-produced with system partners and children and young people, who contributed to the development of consent forms and information leaflets.
• Accessibility and Common Language: The forums focus was on children and young people aged 5-18 who have consented to participate. It addresses needs such as advice, signposting, help, and risk support, embodying i-THRIVE principles including common language, needs-led approaches, partnership working, prevention, accessibility, and shared decision-making with the child and family’s voice present.

Conclusion

The Triple D+S Forum represents a significant step toward a more integrated, needs-led, and collaborative approach to supporting children and young people in Kent and Medway.
By aligning with i-THRIVE principles, the pilot strengthened partnership working and identified more opportunities are required to improve communication across the system.
Its co-production with partners, children, and young people ensures it remained accessible, consensual, and guided by shared decision-making.
The learning is that the forum needs to be implemented in localities, and be multiagency, as these are well positioned to enhance early help, promote prevention, and provide more coordinated and effective support for young people’s emotional wellbeing and mental health needs.