What is Getting the Measure?

  • Getting the measure is a resource which provides tips, tools and advice to help you to talk about alcohol with service users.

  • To get the most out of this resource, you should have already attended getting the measure training.

  • This website has been designed specifically for key-workers providing one-to-one support to adults or young people who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness.

  • It aims to help you become better informed about alcohol and its effects so that you can feel more comfortable and skilled talking about alcohol.

  • Getting the measure helps you to assess client's alcohol use and decide how much of a priority talking about alcohol should be in the support you provide.

  • It's based on some of the elements of brief interventions and recommends a structured conversation about alcohol, using non-confrontational methods to encourage positive change.

  • This website also provides resources and ideas to support someone throughout the change process, and may be ongoing as part of a key-work relationship.

  • It's underpinned by the stages of change model and motivational interviewing. You'll feel more confident using this approach if you also attend some training on motivational interviewing.

  • Getting the measure may not be appropriate for all of your clients, all of the time. It may help you to talk about alcohol with someone on a regular basis, or it may be useful to deliver advice as a one-off.

  • It fits into the Cyrenians key-work practice model. You can measure progress and outcomes through personal plans and reviews, and on the matrix.