A new resource for education staff looking at risk taking behaviours in pupils is now available for Glasgow schools.

Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP)’s Youth Health Improvement Team recently launched the Multiple Risk Curricular Resource: Which Way, for use with pupils in P7 and S2.

The Which Way Resource was originally developed by Glasgow Council on Alcohol (commissioned by our HSCP’s Health Improvement team in 2017). This has now been reviewed and updated by the team to reflect current data, guidance and policy.  

Participating in risk taking behaviours is a normal part of child development. For most this will be low risk, but for a small number of young people, risk taking behaviours in adolescence can cause significant harm to them and sometimes to others.

It is widely recognised that behaviours often interact and develop as a response to other life events. Some risk behaviours tend to cluster together, particularly for young people who have experienced trauma and recurring poverty.

Several factors have been identified that can protect children and young people  and the resources enable the exploration of the risks and protections with young people.

Mary Kate Harte, Health Improvement Senior said: “Which Way has been designed to encourage learners to discuss and think more carefully about risk, risk taking behaviours and the decisions they make around them. Through activities and discussion, learners will consider the factors that influence their decision-making, think about the impact their choices may have and identify where and who they can go to for support for example Glasgow City Youth Health Service . Activities should encourage discussion, peer support and critical thinking.  

“Our Youth Health Improvement Team have worked collaboratively with colleagues and partners to develop the revised Which Way? Multiple Risk Resource, with input from health and education experts.”

Sarah Craig, Health Improvement Lead, said: “The refresh of the resource could not have been achieved without the commitment and dedication of the team behind its development. The individuals involved built momentum, brought people together and collaborated widely to enhance the learning experience on multiple risk themes for practitioners and young people.”

An Equalities Impact Assessment was also carried out on the resource to ensure that considerations were made to the varying learning needs within the classroom. The resource has also been mapped to the Curriculum for Excellence to support educators planning and assessment of learning to meet experiences and outcomes for learners.

Mairi Baker, Quality Improvement Officer, Glasgow City Education Services said: “Education services support the promotion and implementation of the Which Way? Resource. This supports learning and teaching of areas of the Health and Wellbeing (HWB) Curriculum related to risk taking behaviours in both primary and secondary schools across the city. The launch of the resource will be complemented with opportunities to work with staff from Health Improvement to give teaching staff a greater insight into the resource content. Staff will be asked to offer feedback to further inform the ongoing quality assurance of the resource.”

The resource works alongside the HWB Website for Education Staff. This website provides quality assured information and resources for education establishments developed by our Health improvement staff. Links have also been made to additional resources and information to support progressive learning.