THE ROSS PROGRAMME (R&R2)

Target: Low/Moderate risk
Age: 13-16 years
Gender: Male/female
Setting: Group

This is a very focused twelve-session programme, based on the latest research and designed to lead to further assessment. It is an example of the new generation of interventions currently being introduced by the Cognitive Centre. In 2002 the Centre, in response to requests from Managers and Practitioners operating in Youth and Juvenile Justice settings, commissioned Professor Robert Ross to develop a short intervention programme aimed specifically at the 13-16 years age group who are assessed at low or moderate risk of reoffending or likely to exhibit anti-social behaviour.

The programme comprises twelve 90-minute sessions and its development was based on relevant research in the field over the past 35 years and particularly on a number of significant developments in research on prosocial competence. The whole theoretical basis of the intervention is reviewed in "Time to Think Again" (in print) by Dr Ross and whilst the targets of the programme relate to:

Ø Skilled thinking
Ø Managing thoughts and emotions
Ø Problem identification and thinking of solutions
Ø Detecting thinking errors
Ø Consequential thinking
Ø Values enhancement
Ø Managing conflict

The underpinning skills relate to

Ø Motivational interviewing (Prochaska & Norcross 1999)
Ø Pro-social modelling (Trotter 2000)
ØRelapse Prevention (Marshall 1998)
Ø Making Good (Maruna 2001)
Ø Thinking skills (de Bono 2000)

The Programme has been designed "as an introductory programme for adolescents who lack essential pro-social skills and values and are engaging in various disruptive and anti-social behaviours at home, in school or in the community. It provides a core curriculum, cognitive and emotional skills and values". (Ross R. R.) This programme is being used in a range of settings, in community educational and residential settings including main stream schools for use with disruptive pupils.

New Versions of The ROSS PROGRAMME (R&R2)

DURING 2005 NEW EDITIONS OF THE ROSS PROGRAMME (R&R2) SPECIFICALLY ADAPTED FOR USE WITH GIRLS AND FIRESETTERS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE.

These new versions are being adapted by consultants at the Centre and Dr Ross. The version for girls will draw on the recent research findings about effective practice with girls and younger women whilst the fire setting version is being developed in close association with several community fire safety departments. A version of the programme which targets YOUNG PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES is currently being developed by Dr.Ross .

AS THESE PROGRAMMES BECOME AVAILABLE DETAILS WILL BE POSTED ON THE WEB SITE.

The Offending Is Not The Only Choice - Revised Suite of Programmes incorporating:

Offending Is Not The Only Choice - Revised Version for Youths(2002)
Relapse Prevention (Substance Misuse)
Violence Reduction

Dr Barbara Armstrong developed this suite of programmes which have been effectively implemented in several countries. They can be delivered together in sequence or can stand alone. The philosophy behind these cognitive behavioural programmes is:

Ø To assist participants to understand the directlink between the ways that they think and the way they behave
Ø To assist the participants to understand and accept that their behaviour is their responsibility
Ø To assist the participants develop awareness of the impact of their behaviour on others
Ø To identify areas where the participants engae in harmful behaviour to self and others and teach relevant skills to manage, eliminate or reduce harm.
Ø To practice self-management skills.
Ø To develop appropriate relapse prevention strategies

The programmes are developed to tackle difficult learning styles typified as having a visual concrete base and therfore requires:

Ø A programme which is also interactive
Ø The promotion of over learning
Ø The use of repetition and requires cognizance of short learning spans.
Ø Dependant on the focus of the programme each
Ø Tackle some key issues in context-
Ø Feelings, thoughts and behaviours about anti-social behaviour:
Ø Empathy
Ø Self management
Ø Self control
Ø Pro criminal affiliations

For further information about these programmes please contact the Centre.

FIRE SAFE Programme

Target: Low/Moderate risk
Age: 12-16 years
Gender: Male/Female
Setting: Group/Individual

Firesafe is a 10 session individual or 11 session group programme. It is a short skill/educative programme developed in partnership with Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service. It is proving popular with many Community Fire Safety Departments and caters specifically with many Community Fire Safety Departments and caters specifically for those young people assessed to be at the lower end of the risk sclae.

Sexually Harmful Behaviour Programme

Developed in conjunction with Dr Graeme Richardson from the Kolvin Clinic Newcastle.

Target: High Risk
Age: Adolescents

This is a programme for high-risk adolescents that has completed its pilot phase and will be launched in the Spring of 2005. It is specific to this age group and not an adult programme revised for adolescents. This is based on over 25 years direct client work and has been fully revised to take account of the latest research in this field

The Centre will be providing a full range of services to complement this extremely demanding work including help with actual delivery and psychological support and consultation.

Gangs

Based on a successful US programme the centre is adapting a version for use in the UK. The approach used requires some preparatory work based on best practice principles in working with the gang culture. The programme will need to be revised and adapted for particular areas and be very sensitive to language and culture issue.

Distal Risk Factors

Together with Dr John Marshall, Lead Clinician for Adolescent Mental Health Services in Glasgow the Centre is poineering an approach which addresses the subtle and complex needs of young people including depression, anxiety, emotional regulation, self harming behaviours and issues such as sleeplessness. These factors often prevent individuals from being able to respond to interventions designed to address major problems in their lives and as such may be viewed as responsivity factors. Short modules are being developed to complement and support other direct interventions. The first programme focuses on mood issues associated with depression and will be available in March 2005.

Programme Adaptability

Continued improvements and feeback have resulted in some key developments. Programmes can now be adapted to take into account context setting and client group profiles. This can entail customising the programme to fit certain contextual frameworks but whilst maintaining full programme intgrity.