PAGE 16
STEP UP
Good risks, bad risks – working with
young people to improve outcomes
This is an era in which we can barely pick up the paper
‘…a one-day seminar
for professionals who
work with local young
people to improve
awareness and
knowledge of risk-taking
behaviour…’
without reading about adolescent binge drinking, the
latest drug or legal high being used by young people,
spiraling STIs rates and teenage pregnancy, sexting,
domestic violence or the sexual exploitation of young
people.
As a consequence, young people’s risk-taking
behaviour and the associated safeguarding issues are a
big societal concern, not only for parents and politicians
but also for Croydon Council and our partners.
With this in mind, the Croydon Children and Family
Partnership’s ‘Be Healthy’ sub-group recently organised a
one-day seminar for professionals who work with local
young people to improve awareness and knowledge of
risk-taking behaviour and to ensure everyone understands
the role they can play, however small that might be, in
helping to address these issues.
The seminar provided information and advice on
many different types of risk-taking behaviour, but with
particular attention placed on drug and alcohol misuse.
The seminar also provided an opportunity for practitioners
to improve their assessment and early-intervention skills.
Workshops were available on a wide range of issues,
including:
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Consent and sexual violence
Talking to young people about drugs and alcohol
Young people and smoking
Delivery of prevention and education messages in schools
Drugs, alcohol and the law
For further information about the seminar or Croydon’s
strategy to reduce young peoples’ risk-taking behaviour
contact: Kate Naish, public health lead – young people.
[email protected] Tel: 020 8726 6000 ext: 88420