Needs Assessment: Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Services in Edinburgh City

EADP Children, Young People and Families Network Event

7th March 2012

Joanne Winterbottom

Summary

Background and Context Methods Conclusions and Recommendations Questions

Summary

Background and Context Methods Conclusions and Recommendations Questions

Policy Context

National Road to Recovery: A New Approach to

Tackling Scotland’s Drug Problem Changing Scotland’s Relationship with Alcohol

Local EADP Needs Assessment of Drug and

Alcohol Problems in Edinburgh EADP Alcohol and Drug Strategy 2011-14 EADP Children, Young People and Families

Action Plan

Aim

to inform implementation of priorities 1 and 3 of EADP Children, Young People and Families Action Plan:

Fewer children and yp using drugs and children and yp choosing to drink alcohol start later and take fewer risks

More children and yp receive appropriate and timely support for alcohol and drug use

Objectives

Identify prevalence of alcohol and drug use among young people

Map existing services Explore young people’s perceptions

of effective services Provide an overview of models of

good practice Make recommendations regarding

priorities and models of service

Summary

Background and Context Methods Conclusions and Recommendations Questions

Methods

Review of strategic literature, evidence and project information on models of good practice

Review of prevalence data Service profile surveys Staff and manager interviews and

focus groups Young people focus group and

interview

Review of Evidence

Published literature, policy documents & research

From last 10 years Scotland and rest of UK Drug and alcohol data Good practice guidance Project evaluations where available

Service Profile

Aimed to engage organisations that: Provide specialist treatment,

rehabilitation, and support targeted at young people

Engage young people who are more vulnerable to drug and alcohol use

Work with within Edinburgh city with yp aged under 19 (statutory funding)

Of 40 potential organisations identified, 25 completed surveys

Staff & Management Interviews & Focus Groups

Identified through discussion with steering group

Total 59 participants Statutory and voluntary sector

partners substance misuse health social care housing/homelessness youth sectors

Youth Engagement

Aimed to involve YP aho access services as well as YP from groups known to be vulnerable

15 YP involved through interviews (9) and focus group (6)

Total numbers fewer than anticipated despite efforts and incentives

Reflects challenge faced by services engaging with YP with chaotic lifestyles

Summary

Background and Context Methods Conclusions & Recommendations Questions

Conclusions & Recommendations

Definitions, Principles and Processes Service Development Service Delivery Workforce Development Partnership Working

Definitions, Principles, Processes

1. Agree common definitions (or range of indicators) and key principles

2. Specific research into drug and alcohol use among young people from different equality groups

Definitions, Principles, Processes

3. Agree guidance and support in relation to:

Roles and limits of services within tiers model

Identifying and responding to young people’s needs

Referral pathways Monitoring requirements

Model 5: Specialist drug and alcohol service with open access Low threshold drug and alcohol specific service Main focus is early intervention and treatment options provided on 1:2:1 basisDelivery either through service base (often clinical setting or social work office); some scope for delivery via existing youth provision/schools

Model 6: Specialist with integrated drug and alcohol serviceHigh threshold drug and alcohol service – often integrated into other highly specialised social work provision

Model 4: Specialist drug and alcohol support for servicesNo direct service provision. Support provided to existing services i.e. schools, social work to better equip them to work with young people on specific issue. Most commonly used within mental health sphereSome scope to extend delivery to include support to wider youth facing services

Model 3: Prevention & education outreachDelivery of group work via other existing services i.e. schools, youth centres, social work services etc. Main focus is prevention & education

Model 2: Prevention and Education street work Targeted approach via street work – usually aimed at areas/groups with known youth disturbance/ street drinking/risk behaviourProvide information, advice & signposting service – sometimes provide condoms etc.Some scope to provide more in-depth prevention & early intervention i.e. delivery of brief interventions

Model 1: Holistic youth work provision Universal access (via drop in)Information & advice available on range of topicsMain focus advice and info; prevention and educationSome scope to provide 1:2:1 support

Tier 1: Universal (non-specific) generic and primary services

Tier 2: Services offered by practitioners with some drug & alcohol experience

Tier 3: Services provided by specialist teams

Tier 4: Highly specialised services

Supporting Tiers 1 and 2

Service Development

4. Development of services: Specialist youth work posts Specialist support for young people

who use cannabis Increased options at Tier 2: one-to-one

counselling and ongoing support Increased options at Tier 3 and 4

Service Development

5. Investigate potential for organisations that provide support for services to build capacity in relation to working with young people in family context and providing support for parents

Service Delivery

6. Consistency in relation to age ranges

7. Robust EqIAs of individual services8. Improved promotion and

awareness raising including: Marketing and communication

targeted at young people Guidance for use of media and

communication with general public

Workforce Development

9. Training Needs Analysis for staff across tiers and prioritisation to form workforce development programme

10. Specific training for specialist youth worker posts

Partnership Working

11. Greater links across topics. E.g. youth health, tobacco, sexual health

12. Collaborative approach and youth involvement

Questions

Contact details

Email: joanne@createconsultancy.com

Tel: 0141 445 5858 / 07738 706998

www.createconsultancy.com

Group Discussion

What are the implications for service planning?

What are the implications for service delivery?

How do we assure that the recommendations are taken forward through a partnership approach?