22.06.22 - Leadership Board - Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme Update
Renfrewshire Council · 22 June 2022
Back to Leadership Board — 22 June 2022 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Leadership Board On: 22 June 2022 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Executive ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme Update ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 This report provides the Leadership Board with an update on the progress of the Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme which was established following the publication of the Renfrewshire Alcohol and Drugs Commission final report in December 2020. 1.2 The report set out 27 recommendations to be progressed by partners, and the Council allocated £2m of funding to support the local response to these recommendations. 1.3 The report and its recommendations were endorsed by Renfrewshire Council, Renfrewshire Integration Joint Board and Renfrewshire Community Planning Partnership Executive Group, with full support gained to respond to these recommendations on a collective basis. 1.4 A Programme Board, chaired by the Council’s Chief Executive, was established to oversee the local partnership response to the Commission, meeting regularly. 1.5 The delivery of this Programme remains a key priority for all partners and it is important that it continues to be delivered at pace, given the significant harm that local people are currently experiencing in relation to alcohol and drug use. Moving forward work will be undertaken to further develop this programme, to ensure activities are closely linked to the wider Fairer Renfrewshire programme, and activities being progressed by the Alcohol and Drugs Partnership. 1.6 This paper provides an update on the progress that has been achieved to date, with specific focus on support for a programme of recovery events in partnership with Scottish Recovery Consortium and the proposed launch of a Recovery Change Fund in in Renfrewshire. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that members of the Leadership Board: a) Note the progress of the Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme since the last update provided to the Leadership Board on 15 September 2021;
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b) Approve £69,500 funding for the Connected and Caring Renfrewshire project from the Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme budget and a further £20,000 to extend the Alcohol Policy project; and c) Approve the guidance for the Recovery Change Fund which will launch in June/July 2022 at Appendix 1 ___________________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1 In late 2018, Renfrewshire Community Planning Partnership Executive Group agreed to establish an independent Commission to consider the true impact of alcohol and drug use across Renfrewshire’s communities. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 caused the Commission to pause its work, however this resumed in September 2020, with the Commission’s final report being published in December 2020. 3.2 The report sets out the Commission’s main findings and provides 27 recommendations to guide the local response. Priority actions identified included: urgently addressing issues in relation to mental health service provision, including provision for young people; considering trauma as part of everything that partners do in Renfrewshire; and introducing a whole system approach to supporting people with their alcohol and drug use. 3.3 The report and its recommendations were endorsed by Council, Renfrewshire Integration Joint Board and Renfrewshire Community Planning Partnership Executive Group, with full support gained to respond to these recommendations on a collective basis. 3.4 Prior to the report’s publication, Council allocated £2m of funding in March 2020 to support the emerging recommendations of the Renfrewshire Alcohol and Drugs Commission. Given both the impact that the pandemic has had on local people and communities and the urgent nature of some of recommendations identified within the Commission’s report, officers worked with partners to bring forward an initial tranche of funding proposals which would target the priorities identified as being most urgent by the Commission. 3.5 In December 2020, Council agreed to allocate £1.34m of the £2m allocated funding to support a range of projects which will aim to pilot new ways of working across the community planning partnership, with the opportunity to use this learning to transform the way in which people receive support across Renfrewshire. A further £200k was allocated to the Holistic Support Model project at the December 2021 Leadership Board. 3.6 A Programme Board was established to oversee the local partnership response to the Commission, and this is chaired by the Council’s Chief Executive. Partners are working very closely to ensure that all of the activities being progressed are joined up and make maximum use of the funding and resources available. ___________________________________________________________________ 4. Progress of the Change Programme 4.1 Following the Alcohol and Drugs Commission’s final report in December 2020, partners have prioritised a range of actions in response to the key recommendations, as well as establishing a Programme Board to drive the local response, ensuring that all partners work together, join up service developments, and maximise the resources available. Key developments which have been progressed include the following projects, under the themes of the Commission’s final report:
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4.2 Risk of Harm Assertive Outreach (Harm Reduction Response Team – HaRRT) - Outreach programmes enable services to be more responsive to the needs of individuals who use drugs, and those who may be less likely to engage with services. A Harm Reduction Response Team (HaRRT) is currently being established in Renfrewshire, aiming to deliver harm reduction services to individuals on an outreach, flexible, and accessible manner, to reduce the risk of overdose and other drug related harms, and to proactively link individuals into treatment and support services. The Service will be provided outwith traditional core hours, on a dynamic and responsive basis across local communities in Renfrewshire – this is informed by the review of drug related deaths data, together with ongoing feedback from service users. The mobile unit to deliver this service has been procured and stocked with supplies, and recruitment of staff has taken place, with all necessary training complete. An initial steering group has been set up, and engagement with wider partners has taken place including Community Safety, Homelessness services, Police Scotland and GPs. A soft launch of the service is planned for early Summer, with a more formal launch taking place shortly after. Work is currently underway with the HSCP and Council Communications teams to plan the launch and promotion of the service. Holistic Support Model (MYLA – MyLifeAhead) – This housing-led project which provides holistic wraparound support, using many of the elements of Housing First. The project will support any household in Renfrewshire, regardless of tenure, whose life is being affected by alcohol/drugs, and builds on the concept that in order to have good health, you need to have a good, settled home. A specialist support provider (Turning Point Scotland) has been appointed to provide this bespoke support intervention via experienced staff, who will deploy a therapeutic and trauma informed approach, with support being centred and tailored around the individual, to help sustain their settled housing and stabilise their lives. A coordinator in Communities and Housing Services has also been appointed. The project formally launched on 16 May 2022, with a steering group also being established, involving partners such as Renfrewshire HSCP, social registered landlords, and third sector support providers. Crisis Based Mental Health Services - The project involves extending the current out of hours crisis support service provided by RAMH to include support in relation to alcohol and drugs. Recruitment has been completed and staff are undergoing training and induction, including shadowing Alcohol and Drug Recovery Services colleagues. The service is anticipated to formally launch by the end of June 2022. Building Based Services - The Alcohol and Drugs Commission and the HSCP Whole Systems Review of the Alcohol and Drugs Services, identified issues with stigma and the environment at the Back Sneddon Street service. As a result, the HSCP are currently undertaking a property review through a trauma-informed lens, the findings will used to inform a Property Strategy. Currently services are utilising space at Back Sneddon Street, Torley Unit (Dykebar Hospital) and New Sneddon Street. The HSCP are also considering expanding the use of space in other buildings across Renfrewshire to support a shift to a more community-based model. Hidden Harm - It is important that partners across Renfrewshire better understand the level of hidden harm in Renfrewshire, recognising that local drug and alcohol services will not engage with all people experiencing issues with alcohol and drugs locally. This is important to understanding how services can better reach out to support people at an early stage. Independent research was commissioned and completed by We are With You and the findings from this research are currently being shared and discussed with partners.
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4.3 Mental Health Trauma Informed and Responsive Renfrewshire Programme - Recognising the fundamental issue of trauma that local people and families told Commission members they had experienced, work has commenced on a partnership programme of work to ensure that recognising and responding to trauma is part of every service we deliver. A coordinator post has been created to lead this programme of work going forward, with recruitment currently underway. The Trauma steering group has been established, and engagement with the Improvement Service and other local authorities has taken place. An action plan is currently being developed, and awareness sessions at a leadership level are already underway. It is anticipated that actions will include: • Reviewing current training and development programmes • Reviewing HR and recruitment policies through a trauma informed lens, • Deliver awareness sessions to highlight what becoming more trauma informed can mean for services and partnership • Linking this work to existing and emerging priorities such as The Promise, Our Values, etc. Youth Health and Wellbeing Service - Service proposals are being progressed for a Youth Health and Wellbeing Service, which will provide drop-in facilities for young people who require to immediately access to mental health support. The service is currently being developed by the HSCP in collaboration with Children’s Services but will work in partnership with clinicians and the third sector whilst complimenting the REN10 programme. 4.4 Prevention and Early Intervention Alcohol Policy - A partnership officer has been recruited to drive policy change across Renfrewshire, focusing on issues such as alcohol availability, supply and promotion and also how employers across Renfrewshire can identify and respond to support people and their families who are affected by alcohol use. Actions over the last six months include: the partnership officer is now the chair of the Licensing Forum, and has commenced a review of activity and development of an action plan, as well as looking to recruit new young persons representatives to the group; and, working with Council HR colleagues to develop a Workplace Alcohol and Substance Policy, as well as colleagues in West College Scotland to update similar policies. £50,000 was initially allocated to support the development of this project, with a further £20k agreed by the Programme Board to allow the project to be extended to 2 years. Approval is requested from the Leadership Board to allocate this additional funding as recommended by the Programme Board. 4.5 Young People and Families Enhanced Education and Training Across Educational Establishments - Children’s Services in partnership with I Am Me Scotland have developed a digital, interactive and progressive curricular programme in substance use for early years to senior phase aligned to the principles of Curriculum for Excellence, and reflecting the context of drug use within Renfrewshire. A steering group comprising key partners including representatives from the emergency services and those with lived experience being was established and were involved in the development of the programme. Consultation with pupil steering groups across various primary schools has been very successful, and pupils have contributed to animation scripts, provided voiceovers for animations, and been consulted on lesson plan content.
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The model is now being replicated at secondary level. Lessons come in the form of engaging interactive powerpoint presentations for use on class whiteboard, including videos (biteables), animations, discussion points and quizzes. A book for early years has also been developed and copies printed for all early years establishments. The resources will formally launch in August 2022, and links will be explored around the developing stigma and language workstream. 4.6 Recovery, Relationships and Connections Peer Worker Model - The Commission heard that often people who use drugs and alcohol would benefit from peer support as they worked towards recovery. A Peer Coordinator and two peer workers have been recruited, and are actively promoting recovery within Continuing in Recovery Changes Lives Entirely (CIRCLE) and within wider communities. CIRCLE is a Recovery Hub in Renfrewshire for individuals affected by mental health and/or alcohol and drugs, based on a peer-led model that involves people with lived and living experience in all aspects of service planning. The model delivers a core programme of activities and is developing links for future implementation. Current service provision includes activities such as a book group, gardening group, focus group, football, drama etc. The Coordinator and workers have been hugely involved in the development of the Connected and Caring Renfrewshire proposal, as well as its ongoing development with the Scottish Recovery Consortium and wider recovery network. Recovery Change Fund - The aim of the Recovery Change Fund is to support the development of local groups and organisations which provide social connection and support recovery in Renfrewshire. The Fund is also intended to provide opportunities to support piloting new ideas and projects in relation to mental health, recovery, stigma, and social isolation - gaps in provision identified through the extensive engagement during the work of the Commission. Further detail is provided at Section 6. Connected and Caring Renfrewshire – Details of this proposal are included at Section 5 below for approval. The proposal, developed by the Scottish Recovery Consortium, involves a programme of events and activities to take place throughout 2022 in Renfrewshire, to highlight and deliver: recovery development support; active Citizenship/Lived Experience Representation; Stigma & Discrimination Reduction; amplification of compassion; and connectedness and community wellbeing across Renfrewshire. The proposal includes an Art of Recovery Festival, as well as the Recovery Walk Scotland to be held in Paisley in September 2022. Stigma/Language Matters - Partners are currently developing a Language Matters initiative, which will support them to challenge preconceptions and stigma around drug and alcohol use and promote positive conversations about recovery in Renfrewshire. Preliminary work has included developing a marketing and communications activity plan, with the following objectives: • demonstrating leadership by ensuring that we do not use language that stigmatises people in public or in our communications; • supporting staff to understand the power of language, be confident in their use of language and to challenge stigma by speaking up when people make negative or wrong comments; and • supporting national campaigns to help people in Renfrewshire understand the power of language. 4.7 Work on the evaluation framework for the Programme is currently being developed, aligning the projects to the themes and outcomes. The Programme outcomes currently include:
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Outcome 1: Strengthen partnership working and adopt a whole system approach Outcome 2: Increase understanding of trauma and ensure it’s reflected in the way staff work across the partnership; Outcome 3: Value and further involve those with lived and living experience; and, Outcome 4: Increase understanding, and strengthen local data, and service insight available relating to alcohol and drugs. 4.8 The delivery of this programme of work remains a key priority for all partners and it is important that it continues to be delivered at pace given the significant harm that local people are currently experiencing in relation to alcohol and drug use. Key priorities over the next six-months include continuing to progress the existing projects, identifying further actions and funding proposals and consider how best to articulate Renfrewshire’s overall approach to tackling the impact of alcohol and drugs to Commission members, partners and members of the public. ___________________________________________________________________ 5. Funding Proposal: Connected and Caring Renfrewshire 5.1 The Scottish Recovery Consortium (SRC), working in partnership with colleagues in CIRCLE, have developed a proposal for a programme of events and activities to take place throughout 2022 in Renfrewshire, to highlight and deliver: Recovery Development Support; Active Citizenship/Lived Experience Representation; Stigma & Discrimination Reduction; Amplification of Compassion; and Connectedness and Community Wellbeing across Renfrewshire. 5.2 The proposal supports a number of areas identified during the work of the Commission, including the importance of social relationships and social connection to support recovery, valuing lived and living experience, and reducing stigma and promoting positive conversations about recovery in Renfrewshire. In terms of the recommendations in the Commission’s final report, this proposal would largely help to support areas within the Relationships and Connections theme, particularly in relation to partners addressing barriers to recovery, such as loneliness, isolation, and stigma, as well as acting robustly to eradicate stigma and have positive recovery conversations with communities, as well as engagement with local media, with those with lived experience playing a leading role. 5.3 The provisional timeline in the proposal is flexible and adaptable, including a number of events and activities and culminating in the Recovery Walk Scotland taking place in Paisley on 24 September 2022, during Scotland’s celebration of International Recovery. 5.4 SRC’s primary operational partners will be participants and staff at CIRCLE, working in partnership with Renfrewshire Council, Renfrewshire HSCP, Renfrewshire Alcohol and Drugs Partnership, as well as local statutory, third sector, and community organisations to deliver the project locally and nationally. 5.5 The overall project cost is £139,000, with half of this funded required provided by the Alcohol and Drugs Partnership. It is proposed that the remaining £69,500 is funded through the Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme. ___________________________________________________________________ 6. Recovery Change Fund Guidance 6.1 As previously reported to the Leadership Board, during the Commission's listening programme, local groups and organisations stated that it was very difficult to gain funding to support their activities and that further funding could allow them to expand and grow what they did to support local people.
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In turn, local people experiencing issues with alcohol and drugs felt there needed to be more community-based alternatives to support, as opposed to through formal services. This was felt to be particularly true in terms of mental health and peer support. 6.2 As a result, Council agreed to allocate £150,000 to establish a Recovery Change Fund. The aim of the fund is to support the development of local groups and organisations which provide social connection and support recovery in Renfrewshire, as well as to provide opportunities to support piloting new ideas and projects in relation to mental health, recovery, stigma, and social isolation - gaps in provision identified during the work of the Commission. 6.3 In order to administer the fund, the guidance attached in Appendix 1 below has been developed and clearly sets out the background, criteria, decision-making process, and key dates. The guidance has been developed in consultation with some of the third sector organisations who took part during the Commission’s Listening Programme, and with our partners in Renfrewshire HSCP and Renfrewshire ADP. 6.4 Subject to approval of the guidance, it is anticipated that the fund will be launched late June/July 2022. A report outlining funding recommendations will be submitted to Leadership Board in September 2022. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – The paper proposes that £69,500 funding from the Alcohol and Drugs Change Programme be allocated to support the Connected and Caring Recovery Programme. This will be provided as grant funding and be subject to a grant agreement between the Council and Scottish Recovery Consortium. The paper also approves the allocation of an additional £20,000 to support the Alcohol Policy project to run for 24 months. 2. HR & Organisational Development – none 3. Community/Council Planning – The Commission was established by Renfrewshire Community Planning Partnership and the report has been endorsed by the Community Planning Partnership Executive Group. 4. Legal - none 5. Property/Assets - none 6. Information Technology - none 7. Equality and Human Rights - The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report because it is for noting only. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health and Safety - none 9. Procurement – none 10. Risk – none 11. Privacy Impact – none
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12. COSLA Policy Position – none 13. Climate Risk – none Author: Laura McIntyre, Head of Policy and Commissioning, Chief Executive’s Service
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Appendix 1 Renfrewshire’s Recovery Change Fund 2022/23 Background Renfrewshire’s Alcohol and Drugs Commission was asked by Renfrewshire Community Planning Partnership to establish a true picture of drug and alcohol use in Renfrewshire. Comprising of a range of local and national experts, the Commission undertook an extensive programme of engagement and evidence gathering which involved over 300 local people and groups. The final report was presented in December 2020. It includes 27 recommendations which provide clear direction to community planning partners on the action that must be taken to fundamentally address the impact of alcohol and drug use in Renfrewshire. During the Commission's listening programme, local groups and organisations stated that it was very difficult to gain funding to support their activities and that further funding could allow them to expand and grow what they did to support local people. In turn, local people experiencing issues with alcohol and drugs felt there needed to be more community-based alternatives to support, as opposed to through formal services. This was particularly true in terms of mental health and peer support. One of the key findings of the Commission highlighted the strength in local communities to support recovery, as well as the importance of lived and living experience being able to provide a bridge between services and supporting people with their recovery. The Commission also heard about the key role of social relationships and social connection to support recovery, and that there needed to be more opportunities for social connection in Renfrewshire. The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns and restrictions have had a significant impact on individuals, families, and communities across Renfrewshire, as well as on the way services and support are delivered. Over the past two years, services and support for those impacted by alcohol and/or drugs have experienced significant challenges, requiring to adapt quickly, with much support moving to online/digital, where possible. The reduction in regular social contact and connections has had a profound impact on people’s mental health, particularly those in recovery who have been unable to participate in usual activities and access face to face support. As the outlook for the pandemic improves, and restrictions ease further, there is a recognition that it may take some time for some to feel more comfortable getting out and socialising more, and reconnecting with others in the same way as before. The recovery community in Renfrewshire has been gaining momentum, with groups and organisations building many positive relationships and opportunities to support recovery at a community level, as well as adapting quickly in response to the significant challenges over the past two years. The Recovery Change Fund seeks to build on all the great work taking place across Renfrewshire, and help to support additional capacity for re-establishing vital social connections, following the easing of restrictions, as well as piloting or expanding projects and initiatives that will make a positive impact on individuals, families, and communities affected by harmful alcohol and/or drug use.
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About the Recovery Change Fund The aim of the Recovery Change Fund is to support the development of local groups and organisations which provide social connection and support recovery in Renfrewshire. The Fund is also intended to provide opportunities to support piloting new ideas and projects in relation to mental health, recovery, stigma, and social isolation - gaps in provision identified through the extensive engagement during the work of the Commission. These ideas and projects can be used to inform the future design of services in Renfrewshire. As this funding will only be available for one year (2022/23), a particular focus of the Fund will be future sustainability. The intention is to support initiatives that will make a positive impact on individuals, families, and communities affected by harmful alcohol and/or drug use. Who can apply: • Any community or voluntary organisation with a constitution and a bank account • A consortium of community and/or voluntary groups working together, with the lead organisation completing the application (with constitution and bank account) What the funding can be used for: Examples of what the funding can support might include, but is not limited to: project costs, training, volunteer expenses, new/developing existing activities, equipment, expansion costs, research or consultation exercises etc. For example: • Costs associated with expanding existing activities to support alcohol and drug recovery to a different area in Renfrewshire • Costs associated with piloting a new project relating to mental health, stigma, recovery, or social isolation • Costs associated with providing new activities such as group work sessions or costs for purposeful activities, for example art classes, fishing trips, teen-only drop-ins etc. • Costs associated with courses or training sessions on practical topics like food safety or paying for someone to teach groups about mindfulness or safety and harm reduction tactics • Costs associated with promotion and marketing of your activities, or research and consultation exercises to find out what people in your area need or want activities to look like What the funding cannot be used for: • Day to day running costs for existing projects/groups • Individual grants for one person • Major capital works How much can be applied for? • Grants of up to £10,000 are available. Applications above £10,000 will be considered in exceptional circumstances. Please do not apply for more than you will need for your project.
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Decision-making process A multi-agency panel comprising officers from Renfrewshire Council, Renfrewshire HSCP, Renfrewshire ADP and Engage Renfrewshire will assess the projects against the following criteria, with a particular focus on Impact: • Impact: the extent to which activities will make a positive impact on the lives of those affected by alcohol and/or drugs, and how this can be evidenced. • Social Connection: the extent to which the initiative provides opportunities to reduce social isolation and loneliness for individuals and families impacted by alcohol and drug use • Sustainability: applications that demonstrate how the level of support they would be offering could be sustained beyond the funding period will be at an advantage. • Innovation: How new and innovative the project/proposal is will also be considered, particularly for those piloting new ideas. • Past experience/track record: the extent to which the organisation has past experience of providing support to individuals, families, and communities. • Partnership working: the extent to which projects work in partnership, as well as part of the wider recovery network will be considered. The geographic spread of applications will also be considered in the allocation of awards. Recommendations from the panel will be submitted to the Leadership Board who will make the final decision on awards. Monitoring and evaluation We will work with successful applicants to monitor the outcomes delivered by projects and initiatives supported through the Fund. Key dates • The Fund will open in late June 2022 and close on 29 July 2022 • During August we will engage with groups on any additional information required, with the Assessment Panel meeting at around mid-August. • Recommendations would be submitted to the Leadership Board for approval in September 2022. • Please note: this funding is non-recurring and there will be no additional funding rounds Application process The Council’s Voluntary and Community Organisations Grant Application process will be used to apply for Recovery Change Fund funding and applicants will be required to complete the standard application form ensuring that they demonstrate how they meet the criteria.