Practical First Aid for Gambling Related Harms
The ‘Bet You Can Help’ (BYCH) training programme aims to educate learners, using an accredited, uniform, and consistent set of messaging regarding Gambling Related Harms (GRH) and the associated issues, through an ethos that emphasises a Public Health Approach.
A fundamental aspect of the programme utilises a first aid methodology that supports learners to competently implement an early brief intervention with anyone at risk of, or experiencing, gambling harms, and how to signpost to specialist service providers.
The programme seeks to prevent a worsening or escalation of the individual’s gambling harms situation. This is done through a developed understanding of the issue, developing confidence in supporting individuals and ultimately by guiding and signposting people in accessing appropriate specialist services.
The programme is offered FREE to services engaging with our identified key target groups. Anyone interested in this course who is not specifically engaging with our target groups, please use the register your interest form to discuss possible options.
Framework
The ‘Bet You Can Help’ Framework, using a developed first aid model in supporting individuals experiencing gambling related harms, incorporates the National Strategy to Reduce Gambling Harms with prevention, education, treatment and support integral within its course objectives.
First Aid approach to GRH – 1st point of contact every contact counts
Equip learners with GRH knowledge, skills, and attitudes to perform early intervention
Signpost and refer to specialist service provision
Our Mission
We want to drive down the numbers of people suffering from gambling related harms, whilst at the same time increase the numbers of individuals accessing appropriate treatment and support. This mission is underpinned by a strong belief that those in ‘helping roles’ are best placed to be mobilised as ‘community connectors’ to engage and support those in need.
Programme Collaborators
The programme is accredited by The Royal Society of Public Health (RSPH) and is evaluated by Gambling Research Exchange Ontario (GREO). The qualification was developed in collaboration with a number of experts in this field and from the Gambling Health Alliance, including Beacon Counselling Trust, Unite the Union and the Addiction Recovery Agency.
BCT, ARA and RCA Trust are the RSPH approved learning centres to deliver the BYCH programmes.
Learning Outcomes
The learning outcomes for participants attending this course are highlighted in the key elements listed below:
- Learners will develop their knowledge, skills, understanding and awareness of gambling related harms (GRH)
- Learners with understand the nature of harmful gambling and gambling-related harms and their impact on health and wellbeing
- Learners will know how to provide help and support to an individual at risk of, or affected by, gambling related harms and signpost to appropriate specialist services
Training Options
Bet You Can Help Now!
‘The ‘Bet You Can Help’ Now is a three-hour learning module, containing a one hour condensed training workshop that features the key elements of the tackling gambling harms first aid approach, alongside two hours of self-guided learning facilitated through the ‘Bet You Can Help’ Handbook. This course is aimed at people who may be restricted in the ability to attend the full day programme, but wish to use the core elements within their professional practice (please note Bet You Can Help Now! does not include the Level 2 accredited award for tackling gambling related harms).
The objectives of the Bet You Can Help Now! module are:
- Learners will develop their knowledge and understanding of gambling related harms
- Learners will have increased confidence in implementing effective screening and interventions with those at risk of gambling related harms
- Learners will be aware of and understand the appropriate levels of support available to help and support those affected by gambling related harms
This workshop is appropriate for professionals in any public facing role.
Bet You Can Help
The ‘Bet You Can Help’ is a Level 2 award in tackling gambling related harms. Accredited by the Royal Society for Public Health and regulated by Ofqual, this full day training programme offers three in depth modules focusing on, the prevalence and different perspectives on gambling related harms, the identification of gambling related harms and the specialist support, treatment and signposting available to help those in need. The precursor to the three fixed modules is a themed module related to the area of work the attendee specialises in.
The objectives of Bet You Can Help are:
- Learners will develop their knowledge, skills, understanding and awareness of gambling related harms
- Learners will understand the nature of harmful gambling and gambling related harms, and the impact on health and wellbeing
- Learners will know how to provide help and support to an individual at risk of, or affected by, gambling related harms and signpost to appropriate specialist services
The Level 2 award will be assessed through a 40 minute, 25 question multiple choice examination, where a score of at least 17 out of 25 will need to be achieved, in order to receive the certification of programme completion.
Overview of
modules 1 - 4
MODULE 1
Vulnerable groups themed content
MODULE 2
Gambling harms prevalence and perspectives
MODULE 3
Identification of gambling harms and offering support
MODULE 4
Specialist support, treatment, signposting and onward referral
Thematic Modules
South Asian Community
The ‘Breaking the Sharam’ module is a culturally sensitive and linguistically diverse approach in supporting faith leaders and members of the South Asian community in addressing gambling related harms.
The objectives of this module are:
- To provide faith leaders and those who work with diverse communities with an understanding of gambling related harms in the South Asian community.
- To promote a culturally sensitive approach in addressing gambling related harms.
- To equip faith leaders and those who work with diverse communities with the knowledge, skills and understanding to support individuals experiencing gambling harms.
Criminal Justice System
The ‘Arresting Gambling Related Harms’ module supports an early intervention framework concerning gambling related harms and criminality, specifically at the point of arrest, but fundamentally throughout the criminal justice system process.
The objectives of this module are:
- To support professionals working within the criminal justice system to develop their knowledge and understanding of gambling related harms and its links to criminality.
- To promote and support initiatives and professional practices that incorporate an early intervention in relation to the Integrated Offender Management framework concerning gambling related harms.
- To increase the numbers of offenders at risk of gambling related harms in accessing the National Gambling Treatment Service.
Workplace
The ‘Reducing Gambling Harms in the Workplace’ module supports employers and organisations to promote the health and wellbeing of their workforce experiencing gambling related harms through policy development and good practice.
The objectives of this module are:
- To provide a framework for action to help organisations, employers and staff develop good practice regarding the health and wellbeing of their workplace concerning gambling related harms.
- To seek change in gambling related harms having parity alongside other public health issues such as mental health and substance misuse.
- To support organisations and workplaces to adopt policies in reducing and addressing gambling harms to those at risk in accessing appropriate services.
Armed Forces Community
The ‘Battling the Odds’ module engages with the armed forces community and its leadership in understand the links to gambling related harms whilst promoting access to specialist treatment and support.
The objectives of this module are:
- To develop the understanding and knowledge of learners regarding gambling related harms within the armed forces community.
- To reduce the stigma of gambling harms across the armed forces community and in doing so promote a culture that encourages access to appropriate specialist support.
- To increase the numbers of members of the armed forces community, at risk of gambling related harms, in accessing the National Gambling Treatment Service.
Homeless
This module engages with services, supporting the homeless, in understanding the range of factors that contribute to the vulnerabilities of gambling related harms concerning this specific group with the aim of increasing access to specialist treatment provision and appropriate support.
The objectives of this module are:
- To develop the understanding and knowledge of gambling related harms with services who engage and support the homeless, which are identified as a key vulnerable group.
- To support practitioners who work with the homeless in becoming effective ‘community connectors’ in addressing gambling harms and be competent at offering support.
- To increase the numbers of homeless, at risk of or experiencing gambling related harms, in accessing specialist treatment provision and appropriate support services.
Affected Others
This module seeks to engage with professionals, working in a helping role such as health and social care settings, in developing their understanding concerning the issues associated with those who are ‘affected’ by another individuals gambling behaviours.
The objectives of this module are:
- To develop the understanding and knowledge of the hidden harms associated with gambling-related harms from the perspective of ‘affected others’.
- To support professionals, in helping roles, to be proactive in understanding, identifying, and implementing interventions with individuals experiencing gambling related harms.
- To advocate the needs and welfare of ‘affected others’ concerning gambling related harms in accessing the specialist treatment support services.