Understanding Young People: Substance Misuse, Risk and the Contexts That Shape Behaviour (Day 1)

Date & Time: Tuesday 29 September 2026 (10:00 - 16:00)

Day 1: Understanding Young People

Venue: Croydon Town Hall (Room F10), Katharine Street Croydon CR0 1XW

Day 1 focuses on developing a deeper understanding of the factors that shape young people's behaviour, experiences and vulnerabilities. Participants will explore substance misuse, exploitation, trauma and contextual safeguarding through a practical, discussion-led approach using Croydon-specific intelligence and case examples.

By the end of Day 1, participants will be able to:

• Recognise the hidden factors beneath presenting behaviour, including trauma, exploitation, neglect, caring responsibilities, identity, peer influence and community pressures.
• Use the Iceberg Model to move beyond symptoms and identify underlying causes driving substance use and risk-taking behaviour.
• Recognise early indicators of substance misuse, including vaping, cannabis use, county lines involvement and exploitation.
• Apply practical engagement techniques to build trusting relationships with young people in schools, communities and street-based settings.
• Use contextual safeguarding principles to understand how peers, places, transport routes, neighbourhoods and online spaces shape vulnerability.
• Interpret Croydon's data and local intelligence to strengthen assessment, decision-making and early intervention.
• Apply harm reduction approaches when working with young people who are using substances.
• Understand how exploitation, county lines, criminalisation and substance misuse intersect.
• Develop practical safety plans using the Formative Family Framework® and contextual safeguarding principles.
• Identify opportunities for earlier intervention through professional curiosity and effective multi-agency working.

This programme is designed for

Croydon's multi-agency workforce, including:

• Schools and colleges
• Pupil Referral Units (PRUs)
• Social Care

Early Help Services

• Youth Justice Services
• Community and Voluntary Sector Organisations
• Youth and Outreach Services
• Safeguarding Practitioners and Managers

Participants are required to attend both Day 1 and Day 2. These sessions form one integrated programme and should not be booked as standalone events. Details below

Register here

Understanding Young People: Substance Misuse, Risk and the Contexts That Shape Behaviour (Day 2)  

Date and time: Tuesday 15 December 2026 from 10:00 - 13:00, Online  Register here