riskit programme - adepis seminar

The RisKit Programme:A multi-component programme for adolescent risk

behaviour reduction

Steve Butler: Operations Manager – KCA Young

Persons’ Services

Alex Stevens: Professor in Criminal Justice,

University of Kent

Outline of presentation

•The origins of RisKit: commissioning, research and young people

•What is RisKit? an overview of the programme

•Indicators of effect

•The challenges that have been faced

•Looking ahead – new innovations

•Question and answer session

The origins of RisKit

•2008 – funding pressure on the horizon

•Needs Assessment identified (again) the interconnectivity between risk taking behaviours

•Young people valued the prevention service but there were a range of experiences in the groups

•KCA was already thinking about new enhanced interventions

•The workforce was really valued and critically brought lots of information to the wider workforce regarding young peoples’ misuse of substances


The aim:

•To develop a model of presentation which was theoretically and evidence-based

•To develop a multi-component intervention

•To involve young people in its design

•To identify the right young people

•To test its effectiveness

•To capture funds to further develop and test the intervention


Stages of development:

•Secure partnership agreement and funding

•Engage an academic partner

•Review evidence

•Get feedback from young people

•Develop

•Pilot

•Evaluate

•Progress

Young people told us what the evidence base told us

What is RisKit?

•a multi-component risk reduction programme

•offered to secondary schools across Kent and Medway

• targeted at pupils within those schools who: are aged between 14 and 16 years are deemed vulnerable to risk-taking behaviours are not identified as needing urgent 1:1 support or

currently accessing KCA services

•delivered by KCA staff experienced in group and 1:1 work

What is RisKit?

1.Screening and selection: vulnerable pupils selected using ARBS (Adolescent Risk

Behaviour Screen)

During the past 12 months, did you ever feel so sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more in a row that you stopped doing some usual activities?

During the past 12 months, how many times were you in a physical fight?

About how many adults have you known personally who in the past year have sold or dealt drugs?

What is RisKit?


Behaviour Screen)

2.a two session drug and alcohol awareness programme drugs grid focus on alcohol, cannabis and pills & powders

What is RisKit?


Behaviour Screen)


3.four 1:1 sessions motivational interviews at pre, mid, post and exit stages

What is RisKit?


Behaviour Screen)



4.an eight session risk and life skills programme

What is RisKit?


Behaviour Screen)



4.an eight session risk and life skills programme

5.signposting and engagement with local services: ongoing referrals made where appropriate

Indicators of effect

Other outcomes

• Offending Too little information

to tell if there was any difference

• Absence from school Tended to increase (as

it does for most people at this age), but impossible to tell if the RisKit programme affected this.

• General indicator of risk

ARBS score tended to reduce

Mean ARBS score at entry and exit

Qualitative data• Reduced drug and alcohol use

“I used to go out drinking all the time. I knew it was risky but I didn’t really care before. Now I’ve decided I don’t want to keep doing this.”

• Less risky sexual behaviours “I’ve been making sure about protected sex. I may have had

unprotected sex before I did this but not after.”

• Improved self-esteem “I don’t dress as I used to. Even in the winter I’d wear things

that made me look like a slag. I think I’ve started to respect myself a lot more now.”

• Improved communication and relationships “I’ve always found it hard to talk about personal things and it

was hard at times. It was definitely worth it though ‘cos I feel it’s really helped me.”

• Improved behaviour in school School staff report improvements in behaviour and attitudes

The challenges that have been faced

•Working with commissioners to increase capacity

•Schools’ focus and the increasing demands

•School staff reductions - support/pastoral

Looking ahead – new innovations

•Linking RisKit with the Healthy Schools Plan

•Development of family work

•Revising initial 2 awareness sessions

•Promoting peer group session post RisKit

•Planning for a cluster randomised controlled trial.

Further information:

Steve Butler: [email protected]

Alex Stevens: [email protected]

Any questions?

riskit programme - adepis seminar

Education