Resources

Gambling-related advertising promotes novel opportunities for young people to engage in potentially unhealthy behaviours. It is therefore important that young people are aware of the spectrum of risks and harms associated with gambling, and have ways to manage such risks.

This free resource — recently updated to reflect latest practice and the 2020 version of the PSHE Education Programme of Study for PSHE Education — was produced as part of a collaboration between Demos, the PSHE Association, Mentor and the Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust and was commissioned by GambleAware. A pilot study showed the effectiveness of the materials.

The resource includes three lesson plans with supporting materials, including PowerPoints and teacher guidance. The materials will help your students to:

• Identify risks and understand how to make good decisions in risky situations, in particular as regards gambling
• Develop strategies to recognise and manage impulsive behaviour
• Recognise unhealthy behaviours in others and develop strategies to help them
• Understand the role and influence of advertising and develop socially responsible messages around gambling.

The resource intentionally considers ways to link in with teaching around drugs, alcohol and other risky behaviours to help teachers place this learning effectively within a broad and balanced PSHE education programme. Whilst primarily aimed at students in year 10, the material could be adapted to support learning for students aged 13 upwards, based on the maturity and needs of students.

PSHE Association Subject Specialist Anne Bell says:
“Tried and tested resources such as these help teachers to deliver gambling prevention education in a relevant, engaging way. This resource has proven its capacity to deliver learning on gambling effectively while also supporting learning in other connected PSHE topic areas through the development of risk assessment and peer support skills.”

A report which reflects on the effectiveness of the resource through the piloting phase and assesses its effectiveness is available here on the Demos website