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Evaluation of mental health and wellbeing interventions with small cohorts

TASO will appoint two higher education providers to work with an independent evaluator to evaluate the impact of their mental health and wellbeing interventions with small cohorts. In addition, higher education providers will receive a research grant of up to £5,000 to help facilitate the evaluation process.

What is it?

TASO will appoint two higher education providers to work with TASO and an independent evaluator to explore the changes brought about by mental health and wellbeing interventions using small n methods (often described as theory based evaluation methods). These approaches are particularly well suited for intervention types that only involve a small number of students.

We are therefore inviting applications from larger higher education providers that deliver interventions to targeted groups of students, or from small and specialist providers that, for example, deliver a whole institution approach.

Example evaluation approaches may include contribution analysis, process tracing, and realist evaluation.

Learn more about impact evaluation with small cohorts.

Appropriate interventions will be those that aim to support student mental health and wellbeing but may also aim to improve other student outcomes such as continuation and attainment.

TASO will select partner providers based on factors such as feasibility of the intervention for testing. Interventions which could suit the methodology include:

  • Interventions targeted at specific student groups such as care-experienced students, Black students or disabled students.
  • Interventions that support transition out of higher education for students with a mental health difficulty or diagnosis.

Who should apply?

  • TASO is seeking to select, and work with two providers who are interested in exploring changes brought about by their student mental health and wellbeing interventions using small n methods.
  • We would like to hear from both small and specialist providers, and larger providers who are implementing targeted mental health interventions with small groups of students.
  • An independent evaluator for the project will be commissioned to support the participating providers on at least one of the projects.

Project timings

  • The deadline for applications is 12:00 BST, 2 July 2024.
  • The project is likely to start with a scoping phase in July, before moving on to data collection in September/October.
  • The length of the project will depend on the interventions being evaluated but could run for one academic year with interim reporting in March 2025 and final reporting in autumn 2025.

Information webinar

Join us on 11 June (11:00–12:00 BST) for an online event dedicated to exploring this latest opportunity for collaboration.

During this information event, we will provide detailed insights into the project and share our vision for fostering robust evaluation in the sector.

Sign up now

How to apply

For more information on the project, including the requirements and deliverables, download the invitation to tender (Word doc).

Please download the application form (Word doc) and submit by uploading using the form below by 12:00 BST, 2 July 2024.

Please also complete the equality, diversity and inclusion monitoring form. This is for internal monitoring purposes only and will not impact the tender decision.

For more information please see our FAQ document (PDF).