Implementation Factors for the Delivery of Alcohol and Drug Interventions to Children in Care: Qualitative Findings from the SOLID Feasibility Trial

Hayley Alderson, Ruth McGovern, Alex Copello, Elaine McColl, Eileen Kaner, Deborah Smart, Paul McArdle and Raghu Lingam
Additional contact information
Hayley Alderson: Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle NE2 4AX, UK
Ruth McGovern: Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle NE2 4AX, UK
Alex Copello: School of Psychology, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
Elaine McColl: Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle NE2 4AX, UK
Eileen Kaner: Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle NE2 4AX, UK
Deborah Smart: Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle NE2 4AX, UK
Paul McArdle: CAMHS, Northgate Hospital, Morpeth, Northumberland NE61 3BP, UK
Raghu Lingam: Population Child Health Research Group, School of Women and Children’s Health, Faculty of Medicine, University New South Wales, The Bright Alliance, High St & Avoca Street, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 7, 1-15

Abstract: Young people in care have a four-fold increased risk of drug and alcohol use compared to their peers. The SOLID study aimed to deliver two behaviour change interventions to reduce risky substance use (illicit drugs and alcohol) and improve mental health in young people in care. The study was carried out in 6 local authorities in the North East of England. Young people in care aged 12–20 years, who self-reported substance use within the previous 12 months were randomised to Motivational Enhancement Therapy, Social Behaviour and Network Therapy or control. In-depth 1:1 interviews and focus groups were used with young people in care, foster carers, residential workers, social workers and drug and alcohol practitioners to explore the key lessons from implementing the interventions. The Consolidated Framework of Implementation Research framed the analysis. Findings illustrated that the everyday interaction between individuals, service level dynamics and external policy related factors influenced the implementation of these new interventions at scale. We concluded that unless interventions are delivered in a way that can accommodate the often-complex lives of young people in care and align with the drug and alcohol practitioners’ and social workers priorities, it is unlikely to be successfully implemented and become part of routine practice.

Keywords: alcohol; drugs; psychosocial interventions; qualitative; children in care (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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