Cost-effectiveness analysis of a home-based social work intervention for children and adolescents who have deliberately poisoned themselves - Resultsof a randomised controlled trial

Background Little evidence exists regarding the effectiveness or cost-effec tiveness of alternative treatment services in the field of child and adoles cent psychiatry. Aims To assess the cost-effectiveness of a home-based social work intervent ion for young people who have deliberately poisoned themselves. Method Children aged less than or equal to 16 years, referred to child ment al health teams with a diagnosis of deliberate self-poisoning were randomly allocated to either routine care (n=77) or routine care plus the social wo rk intervention (n=85). Clinical and resource-use data were assessed over s ix months from the date of trial entry. Results No significant differences were found between the two groups in ter ms of the main outcome measures or costs. In a sub-group of children withou t major depression, suicidal ideation was significantly lower in the interv ention group at the six-month follow-up (P=0.001), with no significant diff erences in cost. Conclusions A family-based social work intervention for children and adoles cents who have deliberately poisoned themselves is as cost-effective as rou tine care alone. Declaration of interest Research supported by the Department of Health, Lon don.