RISKIT-CJS evaluation of a multi-component intervention to reduce substance use and risk-behaviour in adolescents engaged with the criminal justice system

RISKIT-CJS evaluation of a multi-component intervention to reduce substance use and risk-behaviour in adolescents engaged with the criminal justice system

Adolescence is a critical developmental stage when young people make behavioural and lifestyle choices that have the potential to impact on their health and wellbeing into adulthood.

While risk-taking is important for healthy psychological development, for many, inappropriate risk-taking is significantly associated with health and social harm during adolescence and these harms persist well into adulthood. Young people involved in the criminal justice system are a particularly vulnerable group with a greater propensity to take risks that are likely to have long term impact on their future health and wellbeing.

The RISKIT-CJS programme is a multi-component intervention encompassing both individual and group work and includes elements of motivational enhancement, psycho-education, psychosocial approaches, cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness.

The study is a major multi-centre evaluation of RISKIT-CJS. The methodological approach is a mixed method, prospective, pragmatic randomized controlled trial with individual allocation, combining both quantitative and qualitative evidence. The study will be conducted across three geographical areas; South East England, South London, North East England, covering a diverse socio-economic and ethnic population.

Funder/funding stream

NIHR Public Health Research
Funding £892,675