Evidence-based best practice in alcohol and drugs education: empowering young people to make healthy choices in the classroom and beyond.
A day for professionals to hear from leading experts on the latest research on alcohol and drugs prevention, attend a choice of workshops on evidence-based programmes and receive planning and evaluation advice for effective PSHE.
On 21st June 2023, The Alcohol Education Trust and The Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation, are bringing together a group of experts to showcase evidence-based and effective good practice that can be used in education and youth settings across the UK for alcohol and drugs education and prevention. The conference will be held at Newcastle University.
About the conference
This conference and selection of workshops will offer teachers, PSHE leads, local authorities and anyone working in the field of alcohol and drugs with young people the opportunity to learn about the most highly trialled and rigorously tested school/youth programmes together with ‘hands on’ ‘how to’ workshops hosted by PSHE professionals.
Alcohol and drugs are taught at a basic level through the science curriculum in schools, but the life and resilience skills that young people need to prevent drug use and enable them to make healthy choices about alcohol as they get older can be better developed through Personal Social Health and Economic (PSHE) education or other teaching opportunities. Schools, local authorities and educators in non-formal education settings can benefit from guidance regarding effective, evidence-based alcohol and drugs prevention programmes, as well as support to improve training, content and delivery.
Keynote speaker: Joy Allen, Police and Crime Commissioner for Durham and Joint Lead of Association of Police and Crime Commissioners
Other speakers and topics to include:
David Regis, Schools Health Education Unit – Latest trends in teen use and health and wellbeing
Sally Ingram and Kay Hattam, Heads of Health and Wellbeing – What is needed to prepare sixth formers for transition to college/university
Kirsty Blenkins, Young People’s Programme Manager, Addiction and Inclusion Directorate, Office for Health Inequalities and Disparities – Trends and developments in young people’s drug use, and support available online via Talk to Frank
Children’s Society – Child Criminal Exploitation: how it works, signs to look out for, and how to protect and support children and young people
Paul North, Director, Volteface and Ashly Fuller, PhD student, UCL – Young people’s exposure to drugs on social media – data, risks and how to respond
Helena Conibear – Founder and CEO of The Alcohol Education Trust
Fiona Spargo-Mabbs – Founder and Director of The Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation
On the day
The morning plenaries will explore drinking and drug use trends among young people in the UK, Government and Public Health priorities for preventative and early intervention work in drugs and alcohol in England and evidenced-based programmes for various settings. The morning will conclude with a Q+A session where delegates will be invited to share their questions and experiences around drugs and alcohol education to a panel of experts. The afternoon sessions will offer delegates an opportunity to book two workshops of their choice. Delegates will leave with resources and have access to training presentations.
Afternoon workshops
Workshop details will be sent by email to registered delegates with options and choices in April and will include:
- Delivering effective alcohol education
- Delivering effective drugs education
- Targeted alcohol education for more vulnerable young people including those with additional learning needs
Who should attend
The National Alcohol & Drugs Education Conference will be beneficial to anyone working in the field of alcohol and drugs with young people, including:
• Primary and secondary school teachers
• Headteachers
• Governors
• PSHE coordinators
• External education providers
• Community practitioners
• Local Authorities
• Public health professionals
• Charities
• Youth offender teams
• Social workers
• Youth workers
Contact email for any questions: kate@alcoholeducationtrust.org
