Early Intervention

In order to effectively reduce the risk of young people developing drug and alcohol problems we must focus on supporting young people in the key risk groups. Early intervention projects, outreach workers and partnership working aim to reduces this risk and improve young peoples lives’.

This means not only providing specialist drug and alcohol treatment provision but also ensuring that children and young people’s services are fully committed to identifying and intervening in order to tackle drug misuse problems before they become acute.

KDAAT Young People’ s Services have increased investment in early intervention through commissioning diversionary activities for young people in areas of alcohol related harm, during summer holidays and by training for youth workers across the county in alcohol brief interventions.

Below are current examples of brief intervention projects in Kent.

House on the Move

KDAAT with Kent Public Health has jointly commissioned ‘House on the Move’. This evolution of the original ‘House; project is overseen by a cross organisational working group, which includes representatives from Health, Connexions, District Councils, Libraries, Youth Service and Teenage Pregnancy.

The project aims to reduce the extent to which young people, 13 to 19 years old, engage in risk taking behaviours, including early and unprotected sex, smoking and misuse of drugs, alcohol and tobacco. While also increasing awareness of, and access to, existing support services.

House on the Move is delivered from a converted double-decker bus, giving it the freedom to stay in communities where venues may not be available. The team will visit districts across Kent that have been recognised as alcohol hot-spots.

At ‘House’ young people can participate in activities that are fun, but also educational and challenging. The team of trained workers will support and build working relationships with young people in this safe environment. Delivering guidance and resources on all health issues and short interventions both during the project’s time in an area and after the project has moved on.

For more information on House on the Move please contact Constance Cummings, House On The Move - Youth Worker on 07850917781 or connie.cumming@kent.gov.uk

RisKit

KDAAT Young People’s Services has built on its track record in innovation through the development of ‘RisKit’

RisKit is a school based programme that has been developed from consultations with young people, as well as evidence local stakeholders and research. It aims to reduce a range of harmful risk taking behaviours including drug and alcohol use, early and unprotected sex and offending.
The increase in early intervention has led to increased awareness of and referrals to specialist services for those young people whose drug and alcohol use is problematic.

This programme is over seen by a steering group that represents the strong partnerships between CFE Extended Services, the Kent Youth Service, the Youth Offending Service, Kent Teenage Pregnancy Partnership, and Healthy Schools. RisKit is an evidence based programme that is being evaluated by the University of Kent.

For more information please contact Jo Tonkin, Young Persons' Commissioning Manager, jo.tonkin@kent.gov.uk