Switched On


Switched On

Summary

Switched On is a substance misuse service for Cardiff and the Vale. It is an innovative, flagship multi-agency service which is made up of existing services which have been brought together to provide a holistic provision for young people and those who support young people. Switched On is a Tier 1 education and advice service. They work closely with colleagues in Tier 2, 3 and adult services and facilitate referrals to specialist services where necessary. They offer tailored, bespoke training sessions to a range of practitioners such as teachers, nurses, youth workers, foster carers and many more. Direct education is provided to small groups of young people in a variety of settings from schools to youth centres.
  • About the project

    Contact Details

    Contact Name: Lisa Cordery
    Telephone: 02922330292
    Email: [email protected]
    Address: NewLink Wales, Meridian Court, North Road, Cardiff, CF14 3BE


    The project

    Main topic area(s): Alcohol, Early Years, Mental Health, Schools and Colleges, Sexual Health, Substance Misuse, Adolescent Well-Being
    Target Group(s): BME, Children and Young People, Gypsys and Travellers, NEETs (Not in Education, Employment or Training), Working Age Adults

  • Planning

    Activity Type/Topic

    Switched On is a substance misuse service for Cardiff and the Vale. It is an innovative, flagship multi-agency service which is made up of existing services which have been brought together to provide a holistic provision for young people and those who support young people. Switched On is a Tier 1 education and advice service. They work closely with colleagues in Tier 2, 3 and adult services and facilitate referrals to specialist services where necessary. They offer tailored, bespoke training sessions to a range of practitioners such as teachers, nurses, youth workers, foster carers and many more. Direct education is provided to small groups of young people in a variety of settings from schools to youth centres.

    Start date: 03-03-2014

    Funding source(s): Local Health Boards, Area Planning Board

    Geographical setting/dimension of the project: A locality or community based project

    Local Area: South East Wales

    Was the initiative in response to: Needs Assessment

    Does the initiative link with any policies: International Policies, UK Policies, Wales Policies

    Aims and objectives

    Introduction into Universal Services Package

    The Area Planning Board has historically commissioned substance misuse information, education and advice for young people across Cardiff & the Vale of Glamorgan through a number of different organisations. These organisations include Public Health Wales, School Health Nurses, NewLink Wales and Inroads. However these services often worked in silos creating elements of duplication with no clear lead in certain aspects of provision. In 2013 the APB brought together these four services to establish Switched On – part of the new Universal Services Package. Overseen by Public Health Wales these services remain independent but now employ a joint working approach, moving forward together in one clear direction. 

    The purpose of the Universal Services model of delivery is to improve the health and wellbeing of the local population by decrasign the levels of harmful substance using behaviours across all sectors of the population in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.

    This model brings together all the services, projects and interventions that are:

    - Designed to provide education, advice and raise awareness on matters relating to the use of alcohol, drugs or other substances

    - Aimed at equipping non-specialist services with sufficient knowledge and skills to enable them to appropriately identify and respond to substance use related issues

    - Commissioned to improve the knowledge, skills and competence of the workforce in both specialist and non-specialist settings

    There are four distinct taregt groups within the population for these services:

    - The general population in relation to their need for accurate, relevant and up-to-date information on substance use issues, to enable informed decision making

    - Children and young people aged 0-18 years, and young adults aged up to 25 years across a range of settings who are still formulating their perceptions, views and attitudes towards the use of substances, including those whose substance using behaviours have, or could potentially, put them at risk

    - Individuals working in public-facing services who are in a position to identify and appropriately respond to presenting needs that relate to the use or effects of substances

    - Professionals working in tier 2-4 services who require continuing professional development

     

    Overall Service Aim

    The Universal Services package aims to deliver substance misuse education, support, training and advice to children, young people and adults in order to decrease the levels of harmful substance using behaviours across all sectors of the population in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.

     

    Cardiff and Vale Area Planning Board Annual Reports and Documents

    http://cardiffandvaleapb.org/download/Annual%20Reports/C&V%20APB%20Annual%20Report%202013-14.pdf

    http://cardiffandvaleapb.org/resources/

    http://cardiffandvaleapb.org/service-directory/

     

    General Documents

    Welsh Government - Working Together to Reduce Harm The Substance Misuse Strategy for Wales 2008-2018:

    http://gov.wales/topics/people-and-communities/communities/safety/substancemisuse/publications/strategy0818/?skip=1&lang=en

    Welsh Government - Substance Misuse Treatment Framework:

    http://gov.wales/topics/people-and-communities/communities/safety/substancemisuse/policy/treatmentframework/?lang=en

    Welsh Governement - Core Standards for Substance Misuse:

    http://gov.wales/topics/people-and-communities/communities/safety/substancemisuse/publications/corestandards/?lang=en

    Welsh Government - Guidance for Substance Misuse Education: 

    http://gov.wales/topics/educationandskills/schoolshome/wellbeing/substance-misuse/?lang=en

    Safeguarding Children: Working Together under the Childrens Act 2004 (2007):

    http://gov.wales/topics/health/publications/socialcare/circular/nafwc1207/?lang=en

    NICE Guidance:Substance misuse interventions for vulnerable under 25s: 

    https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph4

    UNRC Rights of the Child: 

    http://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Rights_overview.pdf

     

     

  • Delivery

    Informed Delivery Method: Behaviour change theory, Literature review, Needs assessment, Previous practice, Research findings or evaluation

    Pilot Conducted: Yes

    Beneficiaries Engaged: Beneficiaries were actively involved in monitoring/evaluation, Beneficiaries were actively involved in the design of the project, Beneficiaries were part of a stakeholder group

    Partner Collaboration: Community Groups / Organisations, Education Sector, Health Services, Local Authorities, Private Companies, Statutory sector agencies, Voluntary Agencies

  • Monitoring and Evaluation

    Methods / Tools: Qualitative, Quantitative

    Evaluated: Cost effectiveness

    Key Findings (Monitoring, research and evaluation)

    Cardiff and Vale Area Planning Board Annual Reports and Documents

    http://cardiffandvaleapb.org/download/Annual%20Reports/C&V%20APB%20Annual%20Report%202013-14.pdf

    http://cardiffandvaleapb.org/resources/

    http://cardiffandvaleapb.org/service-directory/

  • Sustainability & Learning Points

    Exit Strategy: No

    Key Learning Points:

    Cardiff and Vale Area Planning Board Annual Reports and Documents

    http://cardiffandvaleapb.org/download/Annual%20Reports/C&V%20APB%20Annual%20Report%202013-14.pdf

    http://cardiffandvaleapb.org/resources/

    http://cardiffandvaleapb.org/service-directory/

    Web Links:

    Cardiff and Vale Area Planning Board Annual Reports and Documents

    http://cardiffandvaleapb.org/download/Annual%20Reports/C&V%20APB%20Annual%20Report%202013-14.pdf

    http://cardiffandvaleapb.org/resources/

    http://cardiffandvaleapb.org/service-directory/

    Further Information:

    www.red-button.org

    www.cardiffandvaleapb.org