Abstract
Adolescent concussions can potentially lead to cognitive and behavioural changes, affecting concentration and performance at school and in other activities. Although the Ministry of Education provides web-based guidelines for post-concussion student support, the implementation of these in the school setting is limited. Due to the complex school environment, a pragmatic methodology is needed to co-design implementation with relevant community stakeholders. We outline the protocol for designing and implementing a FRAmework for maNaging Concussions in New Zealand Secondary Schools (FRANCS) to support safe return to learn and activity for students. The framework draft was co-designed by school stakeholders and will be refined at organisational levels. We describe the theoretical underpinnings that informed the study design and outline the project phases. We use a systems thinking approach, Community Based Participatory Action Research, and Appreciative Inquiry approaches to co-develop FRANCS with community, policy, and professional stakeholders. The implementation and evaluation phases of FRANCS is guided by Step 5 of the Intervention Mapping protocol, Implementation outcomes, and Realist process evaluation. FRANCS will be adaptable to the context of individual secondary schools in Aotearoa New Zealand, ensuring that return-to-learning and -activity guides are implemented to support students who have sustained a concussion.