‘ The main categories for the menu were specialist substance misuse floating support workers and housing specialist caseworkers ,’ she says . ‘ Areas have submitted plans that include a range of different posts within these categories , some focusing on specific populations accessing treatment with housing-related needs , such as women or people leaving the justice system .’
COMMUNITY APPROACH Manchester ’ s approach is being supported because ‘ we know how important it is to get support workers into the community , rather than waiting for people to be referred into their services ’, she states . ‘ That ’ s why providing floating support into a range of accommodation settings is a core part of the housing support grant . We ’ re funding interventions based on the need in local areas – for example in Middlesbrough , a team of specialist caseworkers will carry out homelessness assessments and provide continuity of care to people leaving prison .’ Hertfordshire , Manchester and Bristol are also considering similar roles , she says .
Recruitment and retention of the workforce is clearly a key challenge , she points out , and local authorities are being encouraged to fund training and support through the grant to ensure their staff have the knowledge and skills they need .
‘ We know that integrated or multi-disciplinary teams , such as the one we ’ re funding in Lancashire , can provide a better offer to people through a more joined-up approach – and encouraging staff to learn from each other and network through training opportunities is a key part of that . Oxfordshire is introducing a new health and housing coordination role to deliver a programme of training across housing and drug and alcohol services , while in Bradford a training and development co-ordinator will develop and coordinate a training academy and source training , development and learning for staff working on the housing support grant .’
The programme will also be funding specialist support for people with an acquired brain injury that has been caused or exacerbated through alcohol or substance use .
AFFORDABILITY However ambitious and wellintentioned this all is , however , there ’ s a long-standing and acute shortage of affordable housing in the UK – how much of a challenge is this going to be in terms of properly addressing the housing needs of people in recovery ?
‘ This is obviously a challenge that goes beyond the scope of the drug strategy housing support grant to solve ,’ she says . ‘ But the grant has been set up so we can test and learn how to approach providing this type of support , and we have purposefully ensured regional representation so that we can also test the impact of these variations across the regions .’ DDN
we are It ’ s not just our name , it ’ s who we are .
If you are passionate about helping people access the support they need for issues with drugs , alcohol and mental health , then join us .
We need a diverse team , with people from different backgrounds including lived experience of treatment , people with disabilities and armed forces veterans .
������������������������� out more about working at With You and see what roles are currently available .
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ASPINDEN CARE HOME
Aspinden Care Home is a CQC registered specialist residential service supporting those individuals that are living with the effects of long-term alcohol misuse and / or addiction , are resistant to change , and exhibit behaviours that challenge other services .
We have a team of personal health and wellbeing practitioners , recovery coordinators , in-house nurses , and senior management . The service provides accommodation and care with fluid and nutrition management through our own commercial kitchen .
Our work is person-centred to support individuals who have chosen to continue to drink alcohol by helping them live and thrive within a harm minimisation model , using a managed alcohol programme approach .
The service is based in Southwark , it consists of a purpose-built 25 bed , mixed-gender facility providing 24-hour care with regular nursing and GP input to support residents ’ physical and mental health needs .
To make a referral 020 7237 0331 enquiries . ach @ equinoxcare . org . uk www . socialinterestgroup . org . uk 1 Aspinden Road , London , SE16 2DR
“ Staff are around 24 hours a day . Anything you need to know or want , just ask the staff . They are always here .” Micheal , resident
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