Early intervention and prevention services

This section gives information on education and prevention services available across Northern Ireland which address drug and alcohol issues or concerns. These services are available in a number of settings such as in schools, workplaces, community and youth centres and clubs with many providing free drug and/or alcohol focussed awareness-raising advice, materials, sessions or programmes.

Region: BHSCT/BDACT

Drug and alcohol education and awareness programmes, accredited and non-accredited, targted at young people, parents, practitioners and/or local communities

Region: BHSCT/BDACT

Parents and children (aged 12-16) participate in the 14-week SFP, both separately in the teen and parent sessions, and together in the family sessions - SFP aims to promote a healthy parent and child relationship by improving communication, bonding, parental monitoring and rule setting

Region: SEHSCT/SEDACT

Parents and children participate in the 7-week SFP, both separately in the teen and parent sessions, and together in the family sessions - SFP aims to promote a healthy parent and child relationship by improving communication, bonding, parental monitoring and rule setting

Region: NHSCT/NDACT

The NDACT Connections Service (hosted in Northern area by Start 360) acts as the operational arm of the Northern Drug and Alcohol Coordination Team (NDACT); assisting the Team to take forward its priority actions and to work with other stakeholder organisations and partnerships in the area to develop and deliver drug and/or alcohol related projects, events and initiatives

Region: NHSCT/NDACT

A peer education service which identifies young people using, or at risk of misusing, alcohol and encourages them to participate in a 6 week diversionary course and which can also provide alcohol awareness sessions in youth settings

Region: SHSCT/SDACT

Parents and children (aged 12-16) participate in the 14-week SFP, both separately in the teen and parent sessions, and together in the family sessions - SFP aims to promote a healthy parent and child relationship by improving communication, bonding, parental monitoring and rule setting

Region: SHSCT/SDACT

Information, education and awareness services

Region: WHSCT/WDACT

SFP is an internationally-proven, evidence-based skills programme for vulnerable families, typically at Tier 2 of the Hardiker Risk Model. It is delivered over 14 weeks one evening a week. Its format consists of 14 modules, each of which begin with a family meal and involve group work for teenagers and parents in their respective groups, followed by family group work. Participating families also have home practice to consolidate the skills from the programme. Families are referred onto the programme by referral agents who can come from any one agency working to support a vulnerable family. The referral agent supports the family through the programme but all programme delivery takes place via a team of trained facilitators (group leaders) drawn from a range of agencies.