Dr Sarah Bekaert

Sarah supervises MSc and PhD students across a range of areas relating to children and young people’s public health, including safeguarding, health promotion, and violence prevention. Her supervisory approach places strong emphasis on research dissemination, publication development, and supporting students to engage with wider academic and professional audiences. She particularly welcomes enquiries from prospective doctoral students interested in applied public health, policy-relevant research, and interdisciplinary approaches to improving outcomes for children, young people, and families.
Please email directly for an informal discussion about potential supervision opportunities and research interests.

OpDeter Youth: Early Intervention and Violence Prevention (current)

This project evaluates an early intervention custody-linked diversion programme supporting children and young people vulnerable to violence, exploitation, and ongoing criminal justice involvement. Working with policing, youth services, and community partners, the study explores programme delivery, engagement, and outcomes to inform evidence-based public health approaches to prevention and diversion.

Focused Diversion project - Mentoring to reduce youth violence website

This project evaluates an early intervention mentoring and diversion programme supporting children and young people at risk of school exclusion, disengagement from education, involvement in violence, and exploitation. Working with schools, policing, youth services, and community organisations, the study explores programme delivery, engagement, and outcomes to inform evidence-based public health approaches to prevention and inclusion.

Thames Valley Hospital Navigator Scheme: Interrupting Cycles of Violence and Vulnerability

This research programme evaluates Hospital Navigator services operating across Emergency Departments in the Thames Valley. Using realist and mixed-methods approaches, the work examines how trauma-informed mentoring and early intervention can support young people affected by violence, mental health difficulties, exploitation, and wider vulnerability. Findings from the evaluation have informed implementation guidance, commissioning discussions, and wider national Youth Endowment Fund evaluation relating to Hospital Navigator programmes and violence prevention practice. A report was published in March 2026 titled: Review of current practice in A&E Navigator programmes for youth violence prevention in England and Wales.

Unseen Struggles: Exploring the Effects of Parental Imprisonment on Children and Families

This research explores the experiences and support needs of children and families affected by parental imprisonment, with particular focus on early identification, vulnerability, stigma, and access to support. In partnership with Thames Valley Police and community-sector organisations, Sarah led evaluation of Operation Paramount and development of a nationally available implementation toolkit supporting recognition of, and support for, children affected by parental incarceration. This work contributed to national policy discussion, including the Children (Parental Imprisonment) Bill introduced by Kerry McCarthy MP, which called for statutory recognition and support for children affected by parental imprisonment and informed commitments within the Labour Party general election manifesto.

This programme also includes a longitudinal qualitative study involving annual interviews with affected families to explore longer-term experiences, impacts, and evolving support needs, currently in Wave II.

School Nursing and Safeguarding: Insights from the Covid-19 Pandemic

This programme of research explored the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on school nursing practice and safeguarding support for children and young people. Through literature review, national survey, and qualitative research, the studies identified new ways of working, workforce pressures, and emerging public health challenges. The findings informed national dissemination activity, development of workforce support resources, and continuing collaboration with professional bodies (the School and Public Health Nurses Association) and policy stakeholders.

Editor Journal of Research in Nursing

Sarah is Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Research in Nursing. Her editorial leadership focuses on strengthening international participation, supporting emerging researchers, and promoting timely debate relating to nursing, workforce wellbeing, and professional practice.