Problem Gambling Screening in Social Services in New Zealand: Widening the Net

1. Problem Gambling Screening in Social Services in New Zealand: Widening the Net Alison Penfold ABACUS Counselling, Training and Supervision Ltd.

2. The Purpose of the Project An opportunity to work across boundaries To develop brief and early intervention skills regarding problem gambling in social services and other allied health providers An opportunity to action secondary prevention for problem gambling and appropriate referring on to specialised interventions To identify barriers to training Incorporate cultural models of care into training Promote opportunities for training and access to learning experiences

3. The Rationale for the Project Opportunistically increase referrals to problem gambling services to compensate for reduced numbers (2005-2006) One initiative meeting the principles and objectives of the Preventing and Minimising Gambling Harm: Strategic Plan (MOH 2005)

4. Key Milestones of the Project Establishment of Maori, Pacific, and Asian advisory groups Completion of brief needs analysis Literature review Provide a training delivery plan Provide resource manual Provide training manual Meet with potential trainee organisations Enlist trainee organisations Provide training Conduct baseline/post training satisfaction surveys Conduct integration surveys Provide final report

5. Cultural Advisory Groups Ensuring cultural competency and safety Enlisting ethnicity-based services in training for Maori, Pacific and Asian Strengthening culturally appropriate workforces.

6. Training Needs Analysis Process of Needs Analysis A questionnaire was designed for presenting to a sample of settings to provide the feedback required for the screening training that each setting perceives as necessary to meet their needs for their purposes Services selected for the needs analysis were: Police Counselling Services AOD Services Community social services Navy social services Employee assistance programmes Work and Income NZ Iwi-based health/social services School counsellors Violence prevention services

7. Training Needs Analysis Results There was support for training in all organisations surveyed There was role acceptance and a belief that their clients would benefit Despite the above, many were concerned introducing problem gambling may negatively impact on their work with clients Confidence-raising strategies would need to be emphasised in training to address identified barrier

8. Review of Relevant Screens Screens considered: SOGS Shortened SOGS PGSI of the CPGI NODS VGS Lie/Bet Eight Screen

9. EIGHT Screen 1.Sometimes I�ve felt depressed or anxious after a session of gambling A.Yes, that�s true B.No, I haven�t 2.Sometimes I�ve felt guilty about the way I gamble A.Yes, that�s so B.No, that isn�t so 3. When I think about it, gambling has sometimes caused me problems A.Yes that�s so B.No, that isn�t so 4.Sometimes I�ve found it better not to tell others, especially my family, about the amount of time or money I spend gambling A.Yes, that�s true B.No, I haven�t 5.I often find that when I stop gambling I�ve run out of money A.Yes, that�s so B.No, that isn�t so 6.Often I get the urge to return to gambling to win back losses from a past session A.Yes, that�s so B.No, I haven�t 7.Yes, I have received criticism about my gambling in the past A.Yes, that�s true B.No I haven�t 8.Yes, I have tried to win money to pay debts A.Yes, that�s true B.No, I haven�t

10. Concerned Others Gambling Screen (COGS) Do you think you have been affected by someone else�s gambling? a. I don�t know for sure if their gambling affected me b. Yes, in the past c. Yes, that�s happening to me now d. No, never (you need not continue further) How would you describe the effect of that person�s gambling on you now? a. I�m uncertain b. I worry about it sometimes c. I am nervous about it d. It is affecting my health e. It is hard to talk with anyone about it f. I am concerned about my, or my family�s, safety g. I�m still paying for it financially h. It doesn�t affect me any more What would you like to happen? (tick one or more) a. I would like some information b. I would like to talk about it in confidence with someone c. I would like some support or help d. Nothing at this stage

11. Development of a Screening Training Package Education regarding problem gambling Prerequisites for administering a gambling screen How to administer and score the screening tools How to provide appropriate feedback to the client Referral to a local problem gambling treatment agency Commitment to data collection and follow-up for the purpose of evaluation

12. Training Delivered A total of 883 attended 73 training sessions throughout New Zealand (the aim was approx 1000 trainees over 70 sessions) 88% of the target was achieved Bookings to attend amounted to 1,268 trainees with a further 16 sessions cancelled by trainees� organisations with estimated 266 likely to attend

13. Delivery of training