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Place2Be launches new study in Salford into impact of whole school approach

This blog was updated in September 2025.

Place2Be is proud to announce the launch of the AL Philanthropies Research Programme, a four-year study to assess the impact of Place2Be’s services on the whole school.

Sponsored by AL Philanthropies (ALP), the Salford Research Programme will establish, support and develop a "proof of concept" in 20 primary schools in Salford, Greater Manchester. The multiple-year programme will provide a range of whole school services designed to support and train pupils, teachers and parents.

ALP was set up by Andrew Law. In a blog to coincide with the launch, Andrew Law has reflected on why ALP has chosen to support this study and school communities in Salford.

Andrew Law, Chairman and Chief Executive of Caxton Associates, said:

Recent Public Health England figures show that 139.3 children per 100,000 in Salford have been admitted to hospital with mental health issues. After discussing how best to assist the communities of Salford and measure the impact of that support, we chose to fund Place2Be. We hope that by measuring this programme's impact, we’ll be able to develop a template of best practice for mental health in schools; other organisations, government, local authorities, boroughs and schools can learn from this work.

The AL Philanthropies Research Programme will provide data-driven evidence of how intervention can benefit pupils, parents and teachers. The programme will also inform multiple stakeholders on how to grow this vital sector.

Currently, our evidence focuses on qualitative insights into the impact of having Place2Be in a school on the whole school community, particularly:

  • ethos and culture
  • leadership and strategic thinking
  • experience of all pupils and staff in the school
  • involvement of parents/carers in the school community.

Our approach will involve gathering the views and experiences from the wider school community, not just those who accessed Place2Be’s service directly, typically accessing the more intensive services.

Learn more about how Place2Be measures its impact

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