Welsh Government

SHRN – Driving Positive Change Through Data-Driven Insights

The Welsh Government collaborates with The School Health Research Network (SHRN) to leverage data and evidence for strategic decision-making. Our partnership ensures that policies and initiatives are informed by robust research and evidence, ultimately enhancing the health and well-being of children and young people across the national school system in Wales.

SHRN and Welsh Government: Milestones and Successes

Our partnership has led to significant advancements in the health and well-being of children and young people:

Policy Development

SHRN data plays a crucial role in informing and monitoring Welsh Government strategic priorities and policies. Our contributions include:

The Whole School Approach to Emotional and Mental Wellbeing

Health and Well-being Area of Learning and Experience in the new Curriculum for Wales

– Ongoing work on the All-Age Mental Health and Well-being Strategy

– Healthy Weight: Healthy Wales, A long-term strategy to prevent and reduce obesity

– The development of the Welsh Network of health and Well-Being promoting Schools (WNHWPS)

– A Smoke-free Wales: A long-term tobacco control strategy and the tobacco control delivery plan 2022-24

– Children’s rights and trans inclusion guidance for education

– Relationships and Sex Education Code and statutory guidance

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Several current and planned Welsh Government research and evaluation studies utilise SHRN data, including:

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National indicators are measurable values that help the Welsh Government track their progress towards achieving their health and well-being goals. SHRN indicators are essential for evaluating and enhancing these health and well-being initiatives:

• Two national indicators and milestones (percentage of children with two or more healthy lifestyle behaviours (not smoking; never/rarely drinking alcohol; eating fruit or vegetables every day; being physically active for an hour or more, 7 days a week) and mean mental wellbeing score).
• Supplementary SHRN data sources for other national indicators (e.g., volunteering and feeling lonely).
• The Wellbeing of Wales reports.
• Several Health and Social Care Outcomes Framework indicators (healthy lifestyle behaviours, people feeling lonely, and mental wellbeing).

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SHRN data plays a crucial role in scientific research, helping to develop innovative methods and measures, understand health trajectories and develop, evaluate and implement policies based on solid evidence in areas such as:

• Self-harm, in-person bullying, and cyberbullying in secondary schools.
• School absence and exclusion with neurodevelopmental disorders, mental disorders, or self-harm.
• Peer relationships and trends in adolescent emotional problems.
• Mental health, bullying, and school connectedness during school transition at age 11.
• Online communication and mental wellbeing.
• Trends in consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.
• Dating and relationship violence.
• Mental wellbeing and transition to secondary school.
• Flavoured tobacco use.
• The Health Behaviour in School Aged Children Study (HSBC ).
• The development of the Namibian School Health Research Network(NSHRN).

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• Schools as Learning Organisations: Schools are adapting to new environments and circumstances, with SHRN data-led practice being a key mechanism for achieving these aims.
• Impact Across Policy Areas: SHRN data influences children and young people’s health and well-being within the whole-school approach, including measures of well-being, anxiety, depression, and health issues.

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From Data to Action: The Lasting Impact of SHRN

Central to promoting the health and well-being of children and young people is access to high-quality, reliable information and data. SHRN provides this information, supporting schools in developing policies and practices informed by their data.

This infrastructure is crucial for evaluating the impact of measures put in place by the Welsh Government and its partners.

Discover More About Our Impacts

To learn more about the various ways we are making a difference, please return to our Main Impact Page (Coming soon) for detailed insights and updates on our local, national and global impacts.

Stay informed about our latest developments, upcoming events, and new initiatives aimed at improving learner health and well-being. Join our community and be part of the positive change!