Community Mental Health Substance Use Outreach Worker
Issue Date: 14/1/2022
Funding duration: 12 months
Funding amount: £17,688
Funding locations: Bedford
Funding applications return deadline: 23:59 on 20/2/2022
We are inviting applications from local VCSEs to support the extension of the offer for adults with substance use and co-occurring mental health problems in our new community mental health service for the Caritas PCN. There is an opportunity for a community substance outreach worker to work alongside the existing substance use integration worker to improve access to support and treatment. Funding is available to provide at least 0.5wte worker for a 12month contract in the first instance.
Mental health services across England are undergoing a major transformation as promoted by the government’s Long Term Plan for the NHS. The Community Mental Health Framework for Adults and Older Adults describes how the Long Term Plan’s vision for a place-based community mental health model can be realised. It describes a need to align primary and secondary care mental health offers and target resources on closing gaps in access, outcome and experience for those who experience serious mental illness (SMI).
It is acknowledged that there are often challenges in accessing appropriate support when serious mental illness and substance use coexist. This project aims to integrate the support and to tailor an offer that removes barriers to treatment. Particular attention needs to be paid to ensure the offer is culturally competent and represents the community served.