Project SFP Cymru: evaluating the impact of the Strengthening Families 10-14 UK Programme on substance misuse

INTERVENTION: Participating families will be randomised to one of two treatment groups: Control Group (C): Receive usual care with full access to existing services and a minimal information leaflet Intervention Group (I): Receive the SFP10‐14 UK programme in addition to usual care There will not be a defined programme of usual care, and the existing variation in services available to participants across the six participating areas will continue throughout the trial period. Existing services include some peer education, brief interventions available through primary health care, and more intensive counselling interventions for individuals and families available through Drug and Alcohol Teams (DATs) and voluntary sector counselling services. The SFP10‐14 UK addresses three broad areas: family functioning, including communication between parents and children; strengthening parental skills; and helping young people to develop new skills in relation to resisting peer pressure, stress management, and goal setting. It is designed for delivery to families with children aged 10 ‐ 14 years, and in the Wales adaptation is targeted towards a mix of families with challenges (in relation to child behaviour and family functioning) and families from the general population. Each programme is open to families from a loosely defined and fairly large geographical area. The 'mixed families' approach aims to recruit about 4 families with challenges per group, and 6 ‐ 8 families from the general population. Self referrals come forward from awareness raising in community and educational settings. Families are therefore drawn from the same area facilitating mutual support between sessions and at the end of the programme, but are not from a small or defined community such as a school or local neighbourhood. This recruitment model has worked well and achieved full programmes that have achieved high retention and engagement. The programme comprises seven weekly sessions of two hours and is delivered in a CONDITION: Substance misuse ; Mental and Behavioural Disorders ; Mental and behavioural disorders due to multiple drug use and use of other psychoactive substances PRIMARY OUTCOME: Number of occasions that young people report ever having been really drunk. All outcomes will be measured at two‐year follow‐up. SECONDARY OUTCOME: All outcomes will be measured at two‐year follow‐up:; 1. Reported use of cannabis (ever versus never); 2. Weekly smoking (yes versus no, validated by saliva cotinine); 3. General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) performance (number of GCSEs passed at Grade C or above) INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Families with a child aged 10 ‐ 14 years, either sex 2. At least one parent/carer and one child are willing to attend the programme together 3. The ability to speak English (help can be provided for parents or children with low literacy levels). Some programmes may also be delivered through the medium of Welsh. 4. Families can self refer to the programme or be referred by a practitioner Any families deemed eligible to attend the Strengthening Families Programme will be included in the research trial, subject to their giving consent.