THE INDIGENOUS RISK IMPACT SCREEN (IRIS) The Indigenous Risk Impact Screen (IRIS) is designed to screen for both alcohol and drug and mental health issues and was developed to meet the specific needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (Schlesinger et al., 2007). Rather than being intended for the assessment of any one drug specifically, the IRIS measures alcohol and drug use in terms of total substance use, an approach that the authors suggest is consistent with identified patterns of addictive behaviour in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations (Schlesinger et al., 2007). The IRIS also contains a second component for screening for mental health symptoms. Training in the use of the measure and an associated intervention is provided by Queensland Health and can be accessed at: Assessing the tools we use REFLECTIVE EXERCISE 9 IS THIS THE RIGHT TOOL FOR US? – The below provides a template for thinking about whether a particular tool is useful for the work you are doing to support families. One example is included. This table could be used by your family support team to assess tools you are already using or ones that you would like to consider using in the future. Name of What are Do we know if Do we Will it help to Will it provide tool we trying the tool is know if it develop a support some indication to reliable and is plan for our of whether there measure for our culturally families? has been a with the families? sensitive? change tool? Example: The four There has been It is good I can look at areas I can re-administer SDQ year-old’s a version enough to of strength to build this measure in 10 behaviour adapted for give an on. The four weeks time and if at school Aboriginal and indication child scores we have managed and home Torres Strait of areas of high on pro social to get his behaviour Islander strengths and does not have a bit more settled families, but I and peer problems. But and his family life have used the difficulties his attention and more stable we non-specific concentration is a should see change one from the bit problematic. on his attention website Can we help settle and concentration. him, provide more If we do not we consistency, may need to think support parenting? about further assessment.
THE INDIGENOUS RISK IMPACT SCREEN (IRIS) The Indigenous Risk Impact Screen (IRIS) is designed to screen for both alcohol and drug and mental health issues and was developed to meet the specific needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (Schlesinger et al., 2007). Rather than being intended for the assessment of any one drug specifically, the IRIS measures alcohol and drug use in terms of total substance use, an approach that the authors suggest is consistent with identified patterns of addictive behaviour in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations (Schlesinger et al., 2007). The IRIS also contains a second component for screening for mental health symptoms. Training in the use of the measure and an associated intervention is provided by Queensland Health and can be accessed at: Assessing the tools we use REFLECTIVE EXERCISE 9 – IS THIS THE RIGHT TOOL FOR US? The below provides a template for thinking about whether a particular tool is useful for the work you are doing to support families. One example is included. This table could be used by your family support team to assess tools you are already using or ones that you would like to consider using in the future. Name of tool What are we trying to measure with the tool? Do we know if the tool is reliable and for our families? Do we know if it is culturally sensitive? Will it help to develop a support plan for our families? Will it provide some indication of whether there has been a change Example: SDQ The four year-old’s behaviour at school and home There has been a version adapted for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, but I have used the non-specific one from the website It is good enough to give an indication of areas of strengths and difficulties I can look at areas of strength to build on. The four child scores high on pro social and does not have peer problems. But his attention and concentration is a bit problematic. Can we help settle him, provide more consistency, support parenting? I can re-administer this measure in 10 weeks time and if we have managed to get his behaviour a bit more settled and his family life more stable we should see change on his attention and concentration. If we do not we may need to think about further assessment.
snaicc_intensive_and_targeted_family_support_practice_resource_word_accessible_0.docx