Children, young people and families
A family of resources - it is all about prevention, education and resilience
For the last 17 years we have been developing resources and materials that support work with children, young people and families. For children with a parent or parents who have alcohol or drug problems, they often don’t understand what is happening or what they can do.
Through the stories of the animal characters, we focus on the core protective factors of social and emotional learning, interpersonal relations, communication and resilience.
The resources have been developed to span across different ages, as well as at different levels – from generally developing resilience across all children, to specifically supporting children who are affected by parental drinking. They can also be used in a variety of settings including across education, children’s services, family support and treatment services – in both the statutory and third sectors.
Oh Lila
About Oh Lila
Oh Lila is a flexible and child friendly resource which helps pre-school age children develop valuable life skills. The resource pack does not include information about alcohol or any other substance, but is designed to help young children build resilience and identify trusted and safe sources of support.
The resource pack is based on the Oh Lila storybook which tells the story of a young adventurous hare who takes a risk and hurts herself. Lila experiences a range of emotions before confiding in her friend Eric the squirrel, who encourages her to seek help from the wise old hare.
It can be used to help children explore their emotions, develop social skills and identify trusted adults. It also encourages children to ask for help when they are scared or worried.
The resource is widely used across the UK by over 600 practitioners working in nurseries and specialist services. It is a good precursor to our Rory resource which deals specifically with the effects of parental drinking on children. In some areas of the UK, Oh Lila and Rory are used together as part of the health and wellbeing curriculum in early years and primary school settings.
“This resource can be used in an infant classroom setting to discuss many aspects of the Curriculum For Excellence health and wellbeing outcomes and to develop social and emotional skills. Excellent resource”. Nursery Teacher, Inverclyde
With thanks to the staff and children who took part in making this film.
Find out more about the Oh Lila resource and training workshops
Rory
About Rory
Aimed at primary school children the Rory resource pack provides a range of interactive and age appropriate materials for use with children aged 5 to 11 years. It is based on the story of a dog who cannot understand why his owner is acting differently, until it’s explained to him that his owner drinks too much alcohol.
Who is Rory for?
Rory is designed for use with all children of primary school age.
Some children live with someone with an alcohol problem. Rory can help them understand the feelings they might experience, reassures them that they are not alone and encourages them to speak to a trusted adult.
For children who are not affected by parental alcohol use, Rory aims to help them understand and develop empathy for those who are. Children will be able to use the life skills they learn in lots of other ways.
Adults reading the book can gain a better understanding of the impact of parental alcohol problems from a child’s point of view.
The Rory learning resource can be used by anyone who can raise awareness and respond to issues of parental alcohol problems such as teachers or statutory and voluntary support agencies.
Alcohol Focus Scotland recommends practitioners looking to use Rory should undertake training in advance of using the resource.
“Rory gives an opening, even general discussion about parents drinking, not necessarily as a worry; it just allows a space to talk about alcohol, a space.” Teacher, Glasgow
Find out more about the Rory resource and training workshops
C.H.A.T
About C.H.A.T
The Children Harmed by Alcohol Toolkit (C.H.A.T.) is a resource developed in consultation with practitioners from social work, young carers, and treatment services. C.H.A.T. has been piloted and evaluated in Scotland.
C.H.A.T. builds on Alcohol Focus Scotland’s existing Oh Lila and Rory resources and contains a range of interactive materials that can be used with children, young people, and families to build resilience and protective factors and to consider the impact of alcohol use.
“C.H.A.T. helps children to understand they are not alone and that there is help and support available” (Youth Worker, Edinburgh)
“C.H.A.T. is a valuable resource for anyone working with children and families who have issues with alcohol.” (Support Worker, Ayrshire)
In the video below, a support worker describes using C.H.A.T resources with families.
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