The RisKit Programme is a multi-component risk behaviour reduction programme for adolescents aged 14-16 in secondary schools across Kent and Medway. It involves screening students using a risk behaviour survey, a two-session drug and alcohol awareness program, four individual motivational interview sessions, an eight-session risk and life skills group program, and referrals to local services. Evaluation found reduced drug, alcohol, and risky sexual behaviour, as well as improved self-esteem, relationships, and school behaviour among participants. Challenges included increasing capacity and supporting schools with fewer resources. Future plans include integrating the program with school health plans, adding family work, and conducting a controlled trial.

1. 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

2. Outline of presentation
origins of RisKit:
• Thecommissioning, research and young people

is RisKit?
• What overview of the programme
 an
• Indicators of effect
• The challenges that have been faced
• Looking ahead – new innovations
• Question and answer session

3. The origins of RisKit
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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

4. The origins of RisKit
The aim:
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•
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•
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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

5. The origins of RisKit
Stages of development:
• Secure partnership agreement and
• Engage an academic partner
• Review evidence
• Get feedback from young people
• Develop
• Pilot
• Evaluate
• Progress
funding

6. Young people told us what the
evidence base told us

7. What is RisKit?
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•
•
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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

8. What is RisKit?
1.Screening and selection: ARBS (Adolescent Risk Behaviour
vulnerable pupils selected using
Screen)

9. 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?

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

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

12. What is RisKit?
1.Screening and selection: ARBS (Adolescent Risk Behaviour
vulnerable pupils selected using
Screen)
2.a two session drug and alcohol awareness programme
drugs grid

focus on alcohol, cannabis and pills & powders

13. What is RisKit?
1.Screening and selection: ARBS (Adolescent Risk Behaviour
vulnerable pupils selected using
Screen)
2.a two session drug and alcohol awareness programme
drugs grid

focus on alcohol, cannabis and pills & powders
3.four 1:1 sessions at pre, mid, post and exit stages
motivational interviews

14. What is RisKit?
1.Screening and selection: ARBS (Adolescent Risk Behaviour
vulnerable pupils selected using
Screen)
2.a two session drug and alcohol awareness programme
drugs grid

focus on alcohol, cannabis and pills & powders
3.four 1:1 sessions at pre, mid, post and exit stages
motivational interviews
4.an eight session risk and life skills programme

15. What is RisKit?
1.Screening and selection: ARBS (Adolescent Risk Behaviour
vulnerable pupils selected using
Screen)
2.a two session drug and alcohol awareness programme
drugs grid

focus on alcohol, cannabis and pills & powders
3.four 1:1 sessions at pre, mid, post and exit stages
motivational interviews
4.an eight session risk and life skills programme
engagement with
5.signposting and made where appropriatelocal services:
ongoing referrals

21. Indicators of effect

24. Other outcomes
Mean ARBS score at entry and exit
•
Offending
•
Absence from school
•
General indicator of risk
 Too little information to
tell if there was any
difference
 Tended to increase (as it
does for most people at
this age), but impossible
to tell if the RisKit
programme affected this.
 ARBS score tended to
reduce

25. Qualitative data
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Reduced drug and alcohol use
•
Less risky sexual behaviours
•
Improved self-esteem
•
Improved communication and relationships
•
Improved behaviour in school
 “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.”
 “I‟ve been making sure about protected sex. I may have had
unprotected sex before I did this but not after.”
 “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.”
 “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.”
 School staff report improvements in behaviour and attitudes

26. The challenges that have been faced
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Working with commissioners to increase capacity
Schools‟ focus and the increasing demands
School staff reductions - support/pastoral

27. Looking ahead – new innovations
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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.

28. Further information:
Steve Butler: sbutler@kca.org.uk
Alex Stevens: a.w.stevens@kent.ac.uk
Any questions?