RisKit: The participatory development and observational evaluation of a multi-component programme for adolescent risk behaviour reduction

Abstract

Aims: to develop and observationally evaluate a multi-component programme for the reduction of risk behaviours in vulnerable adolescents.

Methods: the programme was theoretically informed by Catalano and Hawkins’ social development model. It was developed using a combination of participatory consultation with young people and a review of evidence reviews. The resulting programme involved screening of school pupils at ages 14–16 years to identify those at risk, inviting them to attend two generic drug and alcohol awareness sessions, and then eight targeted life skills training sessions, alongside one-to-one motivational interviews and the creation of contacts with youth services. Evaluation was carried out using qualitative methods and the quantitative analysis of timeline follow-back questionnaires on drug and alcohol use at entry, exit and six-month follow-up from 226 programme participants.

Findings: qualitative data showed that the programme was feasible, acceptable and positively viewed by participants, delivery staff and school staff. The professional skills of delivery staff were important in making it feasible and acceptable. Quantitative evaluation showed significant reductions in alcohol use (as measured by percentage days abstinent and drinks per drinking day). There were also reductions in illicit drug (mostly cannabis) use, although these were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: the participatory development process produced a theoretically and evidence informed programme that was highly acceptable and appreciated by its target participants. This evaluation provides evidence of potential effectiveness that is worthy of further evaluation using more rigorous scientific approaches. The RisKit programme is available for use under a Creative Commons licence.

Declaration of interest: The development, evaluation and delivery of the RisKit programme was funded by Kent County Council and delivered by KCA. Jo Tonkin is an employee of Kent County Council and participated in the development of the programme. Ben Gladstone was an employee of the University of Kent during the time that he performed the evidence review, and is now an employee of Kent County Council. Steve Butler is an employee of KCA. He participated in the development of the programme and managed its delivery. Steve Butler, Ben Gladstone and Jo Tonkin did not participate in the analysis of the outcomes achieved by participants.

Notes

Notes

1. A pupil referral unit is an establishment, which provides education to students who have been excluded from school.

2. Young people scoring particularly highly (over 24 on the ARBS) were invited to take part in one-to-one support from KCA or other agencies, rather than being invited into the RisKit programme, as it was not designed for children who were displaying such elevated levels of risk vulnerability.

3. As the pilot progressed, we changed the length of this recent period from two weeks in the first year of the programme to four weeks in the second. In this report, we report on alcohol and drug use per day that was included in the questionnaire.