Developing a tool for young people in substance use services
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Project Futures: development of a version of the Outcomes Star for children and young people to be used in substance use services
IRAS ID
362215
Contact name
Anna Good
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Outcomes Star
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/R5UXP, Open Science Framework DOI
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 20 days
Research summary
This research will develop a tool to embed outcomes measurement within a relational and person-centred approach to support for children and young people (CYP) aged 13-25 in drug and alcohol use services. The main research questions are:
1) What are the support needs and areas of change for CYP supported by drug and alcohol services?
2) What will a pilot of the tool tell us about the changes needed to create the final version?The tool will be a new Outcomes Star version used by practitioners with the people they are supporting. The tool will help both parties think about where the person being supported is, and where they would like to be, in key areas of their life. The published version will be available to licensed and trained organisations.
The research will involve service users (aged 13-25) already receiving support with drug and alcohol use in a UK charity in two phases:
1) Developing the pilot Star: CYP will engage in one or two guided conversations with the practitioner supporting them during their normal sessions
2) Piloting the Star: CYP will also be invited to use the pilot Star as part of their support sessions with practitioners. This involves working with their practitioner to discuss their situation, strengths, needs and action plans in up to 10 life areas linked to drug and alcohol use (e.g. relationships, education, health). This produces a number for each area, and when repeated, progress can be measured for individuals and data collated to provide useful learning. There will be brief end-of pilot feedback questionnaires.
Peer mentor and practitioner views informed the CYP research methodology and these groups will review drafts of the Star.
The study will last approximately a year.
REC name
London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/LO/0875
Date of REC Opinion
19 Dec 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion