GGC - Education Health and Wellbeing
Risk taking behaviour is natural and essential for young people’s development. However, adverse risk-taking behaviours can also negatively impact a young person's wellbeing and educational attainment. Young people who take part in many risky behaviours face more health and wellbeing problems compared to others.
Personal and environmental factors can protect young people or put them at risk. For example, individual characteristics, their community, school, family and peer groups.
When risk taking becomes harmful at a younger age, it can be linked to further risk-taking behaviours in later teenage years.
Alcohol and drug use alongside other harmful behaviours, can lead to an increased risk of harm for young people, especially those already perceived as vulnerable through circumstance or environment.
Other health factors should also be considered when addressing multiple risk and young people. For example, smoking or vaping, sexual health and relationships 
, mental health 
, physical activity, nutrition 
and stigma 
.
Early intervention and prevention approaches can improve educational attainment and outcomes for young people. Moving from primary to secondary school is an important time to help protect children and reduce their risk of harm.
To support young people in Glasgow, we need to:
- Identify people at risk
- Signpost to relevant services
- Reduce the harm caused to individuals, families and communities from harmful multiple risk behaviours
Discussion with a young person around their risk-taking behaviour, may depend on whether they disclose whether they are at risk of harm or a risk to those around them. Educators should use their professional judgement to determine whether a young person has disclosed or displayed any signs of serious concern regarding their safety or wellbeing. Concerns about risk to a child or young person should be reported without delay to Social Work Services or, in situations where risk is immediate, to Police Scotland. Every organisation and agency should have a designated Child Protection Lead who has responsibility for enacting Child Protection Scotland procedure and protocol, and subsequent reporting of any concerns. In addition, obtaining and recording key information such as shown in the prompts below can assist with the initial risk assessment, safeguarding and reporting of a concern.
For further guidance on Child Protection please click here 
Further information:
To find out more about interventions that address multiple risk behaviours or take a generic approach to risk in youth click here 
The Glasgow City Youth Health Service offer a Multiple Risk Programme in partnership with Includem. The programme aims to build positive change, whilst addressing risk taking and other anti-social behaviours. To find out more about the Multiple Risk Programme click here. For more information or to contact the Youth Health Service, click here.
In March 2026, Scottish Government launched guidance for schools in Scotland on responding to substance use (including vapes and other nicotine products) within the school community. Click here 
to view. (NEW)
Glasgow City Health Improvement Quit Your Way team undertook a consultation with young people to hear their views on Vaping. Click here to see their responses.
Tackling Drug Stigma is Everyone’s Business. For suggestions and strategies on how to tack drug stigma Click here .
to view. 
to view.