Evidence2Success Strengthening Families Programme

Evidence2Success - Agreed priorities healthier pregnancy and birth improved school readiness reduced substance misuse reduced anxiety and depression improved early academic engagement

Key Developmental Outcome: Substance Misuse– 9-14 year olds By urban and rural locality: UrbanRural Substance Use2225 No Substance Use7875 Urban n = 4,769; Rural n= 2,535 age in years Smoked cigarettes past month: P&K: 3% Drank alcohol past month: P&K: 22% Smoked cannabis past month: P&K: 1%

Reduce substance use EBP – Strengthening Families Programme Becoming a teenager can be a challenging time for young people and parents alike. Strengthening Families is proven to support both parents and young people through this time of change.

Strengthening Families Programme Helps families with young people aged 10 years old to prepare for their teenage years 7 week programme Parent(s) and young person will attend one session a week Each session is held in the evening and lasts for 2½ hours.

What happens? During the sessions you learn by: – watching DVDs – taking part in activities; and – discussions. First hour - parents and young people meet in their own groups to take part in activities with group workers. Second hour - everyone comes together for a family activity.

The benefits for young people With each session young people’s confidence will grow as they... – Develop skills for handling peer pressure, which helps to avoid problems such as drugs and alcohol; – Develop skills in learning how to better appreciate the feelings of others; and – Learn how to set your own goals for the future, helping you to achieve greater success when you move onto secondary school.

The benefits for parents and the family With each session parents confidence will grow as they... – Learn about different ways to support your young person; and – Learn how to set boundaries as they get older. Most of all, Strengthening Families helps the whole family to experience the young person’s teenage years more positively.

Implementation Plan Perth North 1 – Goodlyburn Primary School – Thursday 6th November - Thursday 18 th December Perth North 2 - Perth Grammar Community Wing – Monday 27th October - Monday 8th December Pitlochry - High School – Tuesday 4 th November - Tuesday 16 th December Breadalbane - Community Campus – Wednesday 5th November - Wednesday 17th December

Getting involved Interested families need to complete the application form and return it to either their child’s school or to ECS, Evidence2Success, Pullar House, 35 Kinnoull Street, Perth, PH1 5GD Or contact Barbara Boyd for details –