RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 P95 Using systems thinking to understand how the south west- school health research network can improve adolescent health and well-being: A qualitative process evaluation JF Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health JO J Epidemiol Community Health FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP A97 OP A97 DO 10.1136/jech-2023-SSMabstracts.200 VO 77 IS Suppl 1 A1 Widnall, Emily A1 Albers, Patricia A1 Hatch, Lorna A1 Hopkins, Georgina A1 Kidger, Judi A1 Vocht, Frank de A1 Kaner, Eileen A1 Sluijs, Esther van A1 Fairbrother, Hannah A1 Jago, Russell YR 2023 UL http://jech.bmj.com/content/77/Suppl_1/A97.1.abstract AB Background Schools offer a valuable setting to promote good health and mental well-being amongst young people. Schools are complex systems and as such systems interventions are needed to improve student health and well-being. Despite an increase in the use of systems-based approaches in public health research, there remain limited examples of applying systems thinking to school health promotion interventions. This study aimed to use a systems perspective to evaluate the South West - School Health Research Network to develop a school systems map for England and to understand how the network could contribute to system-wide change.Methods This is a qualitative process evaluation comprising of 26 semi-structured interviews. Interview participants consisted of school staff (n=11), local authority staff (n=5), and wider key stakeholders (n=10), including policy makers, governors, academics, charity leaders and school-based NHS staff. A 7-stage framework approach was used to analyse the interview data.Results Three main themes were developed from the framework analysis; 1) Fitting in with the wider landscape (England’s education system as a key challenge for systems based approaches, the need to address changing needs and political interest, the importance of linking in with existing networks, services and intervention providers and reflections on a regional vs. national network); 2) Partnership working (the importance of representation in school, Ofsted: opportunities and challenges and sharing data and practice across systems); 3) Informing policy and allocation of resources (informing policy and guidance and targeted distribution of funding and resource).Conclusion The findings of this study highlight the vital nature of multi-sector partnership working and intervening and monitoring at multiple levels to improve adolescent health and well-being through a school health research network. The findings also draw attention to the complexity of the current landscape of school health promotion in England and the need to take a systems approach. School health research networks can play a key role in facilitating the needs within the system including collaboration, identifying local need, better targeting of resources, sharing data and best practice across different parts of the system and informing regional and national policy.