Exploring the future role of services Dave Liddell

1. Exploring the future role of services Dave Liddell

2. 1 The scale of the problem 2 Evidence of impact 3 Making Sense of the wider picture 4 The future role of services

3. The Scale of the problem • 1 50,000 problem drug users • 2 100,000? Vulnerable young people • Young people who are:- • Homeless • Looked After by the local authority • Sexually abused • Engaged in the sex industry • Cared for by parents who have a substance misuse problem • Early school leavers/regular truants from school • Experiencing mental health problems • Living in a family were there is significant criminal activity • Hyperactive or are diagnosed as ADHD

4. Evidence of impactSource : Beckley Foundation Drug Policy Programme Reducing drug related crime: an overview of the global evidence(2005)

5. Making sense of the wider picture (1) • 'Delivering for Health' reduce inequalities in deprived communities • Social Work - 21st Century Review • Joint Futures - Health & Social Work • Communities Scotland & Community Planning Partnerships – Health & Community Safety • Criminal Justice Authorities • Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 • Housing – stock transfer, hostel closure and ‘right to buy’

6. Making sense of the wider picture (2) Scottish Executive Drugs Division move from Health to Criminal Justice. Improve links between Drug Treatment Services and: • Criminal Justice Agencies • Local Communities • Action Plans – Hep C, Drug-Related Deaths & Hidden Harm • Employability Framework – NFFI, Progress2Work, benefit changes • Drug Services – Quality Standards & Outcome Measures • Social Work Inspection Agency (SWIA) – drug and alcohol inspections

7. Making sense of the wider picture (3) • Sure Start Scotland • Getting Our Priorities Right & Hidden Harm • Joint Inspection of Children's Services • Increased media and public focus on child safety rather than broader child welfare (death of Caleb Ness)? • Foster Care Recruitment Crisis? • Role of social work children and family teams increasingly difficult • Staff morale, crisis management

8. Future role of servicesChildren’s services Need for Improved response to the most vulnerable Key issues Attitudes/ training Resource Targeting v Crisis Management Better engagement with the most vulnerable young people and the their parents/carers Better links with adult services Greater use of local resources/people in areas where problems most concentrated For examples: Widen financial support for Kinship Carers e.g. GCC decision for carers of 1128 children & young people. Recruit “Foster Grandparents” – developmental role for New Deal 50 plus or Volunteer Development Scotland.

9. Future role of servicesYoung people’s drug services Database of 214 Specialist Drug Services in Scotland • 80 agencies claim to offer a service to Under 16’s – approx. 50/50 split between Vol. & SW/Health There is a need for:- 1 increased resources, security of funding 2 National coverage and a consistent quality and general approach 3 Improved support and partnership working with adult services 4 Work with looked after/young people leaving care

10. Future role of servicesTreatment and care services Significant funding began in Scotland 20 years ago with community/social focus Have had various shifts in emphasis. Community/social ► Health ► Criminal Justice ► Community/social? There is an emergence of a wider role for treatment and care services • Family focus • Employability • Housing/accommodation

11. Future role of servicesTreatment and care services Family Engagement Workers – national funding required to offer support and bridge gaps between Parents, Children & Family Services & Drug Agencies. • 59 agencies offer “outreach clinics” • What do outreach services look like? More lower threshold treatment services to avoid drug users engaging in harmful behaviour to meet service criteria!

12. Conclusions Vulnerable Young people – improved services prior to drug problems Emerging Young people’s drug services – ensure national coverage of quality provision Adult treatment and care services – improved accessibility (outreach models) - development of family focus and wider holistic services How do we get there? More ambitious vision re drug prevention Peter Bates scoping exercise and DAAT review Parliamentary inquiry?